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Of PEAKS IN ESSEX

5th March 1948, Page 38
5th March 1948
Page 38
Page 39
Page 38, 5th March 1948 — Of PEAKS IN ESSEX
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Long Hauls and High Peaks Make a Day to day Traffic Problem for Solution by Hicks Ltd., a Bus Company.

0 PERAT1NG stage-carriage services in the "Courtauld and Crittall country," Hicks Bros., Ltd., BrainIm, Essex, carries on a "battle of tong standing against long standing." Peak problems peculiar to the area are caused by great numbers of factory workers whose homes are in the region of 10 and 12 miles away from work.

Buses have to be held in readiness for the ebb and flow tides of humanity between the great factories of Hoffman's, Crompton's, Marconi's, Crittall's and Courtauld's, and Essex towns and villages such as Chelmsford, Dunmow, Braintree, Bishops Stortford, Witham and Silver End.

The problem is not one which can be met by 15-minute staggering, as in London and many big towns, because passenger hauls are comparatively long and the total number of vehicles is only 44.

"Services could not be shuttled fast enough for close-margin staggering," explained Mr. M. A. Holmes, general manager, at his centrally placed Great Square office, The company meets the imposing demands well, however, largely through good teamwork and through keeping its buses out of dock. The latter does not imply neglect. On the contrary, it means conscientious and timely repair and maintenance, based on sound engineering practice.

As a natural follow-up to the subject of peaks, I tackled Mr. Holmes on the five-only standing rule. His view, given after due consideration of all factors, is that as far as his own company is concerned, an increase in permitted standing would be welcomed during serious peaks.

The morning peak is from 6.30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and evening peak from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The latter is lengthened, because it starts off with the boisterous exodus from schools, this torrent being c2 supplemented as it dies down, by a considerably more powerful one from the factories.

Girl conductors are employed on the same rotas as the male conductors.

The Hicks buses, conspicuously liveried in royal blue and yellow, comprise 22 Leyland Titans, with seating capacity from 52-55, nine Guys, three Albion, five Leyland Tiger and Lion single-deckers, four Dennis Ace 20seaters and one Bedford 26-seater. Twenty-nine are doutile-deckers of lowbridge-type through necessity.

Two Leylands recently acquired have the new Leyland all-metal bodies. Other bodies are of Park Royal, Strachans, and Wilkes and Mead construction. There are 33 oilers and 11 pet rol-engined vehicles. Eight"doubledeckers and two single-deckers are on order. Two Guy chassis are being equipped with bodies by Strachans (Successors), Ltd., and two Leyland chassis are being reconditioned while awaiting bodies.

In addition to the stage-carriage services in the Braintree, Chelmsford, Dunmow, Bishops Stortford and Witham areas, there is one to London (Judd Street Coach Station), via Felstead, Dunmow, Hatfield Broad Oak and Epping. Stage operation accounts for about 90 per cent, of running mileage.

Excursions and tours are also operated in the summer season, and there is a fair amount of private hire at all times, whilst there is a daily express service from Bishop's .Stortford to Clacton.

There are several hire contracts in force, for local education committees, factories and other organizations. The Crittall concern's own transport was purchased in 1933 and still serves the factories at Braintree, Silver End and Witham.

Annual mileage is about 1,500,000, and passengers carried total approximately 5,000,000. There is considerable lost mileage, because buses have to be held in reserve for the heavy peaks. Route mileage, exciuding the summer express operation, is 158.

Earlier I mentioned women conductors. During the war, women were employed almost exclusively. A year ago there was none. Now several have been taken back again and the company has been able to select the best. "Women conductors are either very good or very bad," said Mr. Holmes.

The best of the girls are as good as the men, and perhaps better."

Up to now, the Willibrew ticket-punch has been used on stage-carriage work. This is a type of machine which clips off a preprinted ticket at an appropriate price denomination. It is simple in operation and almost fraudproof, but involves rather heavy office work. Experiments have been made with the Setright Speed model.

Braintree and Bocking, a progressive Essex urban district, has a population of 17,000 and owns—in addition to its own town hall, waterworks, swimming pool, etc.—a fair-sized bus station. This is now shared peaceably and equitably by other operators and Hicks Bros., Ltd., the latter having exclusive use of half of the total area.

Operation was not greatly affected during the war. Early curtailment of services did not survive the growing demands for factory and other traffic when the real war started, and, with a few minor exceptions, all services were reinstated. Only two buses were requisitioned. There was a fair amount of transport of prisoners of war. There was no war damage, although I can vouch for Braintree's having had a reasonable share of high explosive in 1940.

Mr. W. R. Jordan, A.M.I.Mec13.E., explained the mechanical side of the undertaking. The company has no machine tools and sends out units for machining. Apart from these major operations, however, the engineering work done is comprehensive, including the entire reconditioning of chassis and fitting of service units, sub-units, etc. The float of units includes seven spare engines. •

I saw a Leyland T.D.3 chassis being rebuilt with such modifications as separate individual brake servos and Layrub universal joints. Body repairs and repaints are extensive.

"The secret of body maintenance," said Mr. Jordan, "is to give regular weekly attention Then a major body overhaul may never be necessary."

Major work on motive units is done by Weldangrind, Ltd., Peterborough

Road, London, S.W.6. There is oilengine injection-testing equipment in the company's workshops, but complete pumps and injectors go to Messrs. Paragon Engineering Works, Hadleigh, Essex, for maintenance.

An unusually good stock of spares and other stores is held at the company's workshops, giving evidence of early forethought on the part of the engineering staf. The repair staff consists of eight fitters, two carpenters, two painters and a storeman. There are five cleaners.

The company has a tyre mileage contract for the entire fleet with the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd.

Comfortable rest-rooms and canteens are provided for all employees, whilst recreation is provided by qrganizing cricket, darts and•shooting teams, which arc conveyed to meet rival teams in Essex. There is also a staff benevolent scheme.

1 D Mci_INTOCK.


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