Encouraging Public Support
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I N view of the fact that the average passengertransport operator is not yet able to think of his industry in national terms, there is no hope of a revival, in tlie near future, of a large-scale publicity scheme. There is, however, a possibility of the success of smaller demonstrations of passenger vehicles, organized on the lines of the display of machines running on home-produced fuels, which was opened in London on Wednesday and closes to-day.
Some time ago, a successful demonstration of steamers was staged with the object of calling public attention to the merits of these vehicles, and the Secretary for Mines and other Members of Parliament attended. A large number of vehicles took part in the event, users in all parts of the country lending machines for the occasion.
Public exhibitions of pazenger vehicles were recently organized in various important centres in Lancashire by a group of combine operators. A ballot was held in connection with the displays, competitors being required to place the vehicles in their correct order of merit. The event was so successful that the number of entries considerably exceeded that for the national slogan competition.
Added weight would be given to public demonstrations ot coaches and buses if they were organized jointly by the two leading associations of public-service-vehicle operators, instead of by individual companies, and we commend the suggestion to the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association and the Omnibus Owners Association. Chassis manufacturers and bodybuilders would doubtless co-operate in the scheme.
Members of Parliament should be invited to the London exhibition, and the Minister of Transport might be approached with a view to his conducting the official opening. It should not be difficult to interest local notabilities in the provincial demonstrations. Not only would valuable publicity be secured for the passenger-transport indus try, but the opportunity would be presented for emphasizing to the public the need for supporting coach and bus operators in their efforts to avoid unnecessary restrictions.
The Value of Journey Records
THE type of instrument which shows accurately on a simple chart the exact mileage of a vehicle, its speed and the duration of stops, is a particularly valuable adjunct to the efficient operation of almost any class of commercial vehicle.
Drivers are apt to look upon such an instrument as something in the nature of a mechanical spy, but it they be conscientious workers they should have nothing to fear, on the principle that it is only offenders who are frightened of the police.
A suitable recorder should prove a helpful and instructive guide in meeting the requirements of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, particularly with regard to the rest periods for drivers. It also enables different routes to be compared in respect of traffic delays, average speed, and so forth.
Where the matter of first cost is of primary importance, one instrument can be made to serve on different vehicles of a fleet as the need arises. Thus the performance of different units can be checked one against the other and reasons for variations in performance often satisfactorily ascertained. Delays at terminals and loading or unloading points en route can be discovered and steps taken to minimize them, whilst better attention can be devoted to causes of excessive consumption of fuel.