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A N indicator which shows " the conductor how many seats there are vacant upstairs has recently been invented in this country. It consists of a panel, which may be fitted in the lower saloon of a bus, with a lamp representing each seat. When the seats are vacant, the lamps shine, but automatic switch mechanism in each seat turns them off individually when sat on. Such a device should find ready and widespread adoption if reasonably priced.
Indicator to Show Conrluctor Vacant Seats Upstairs . . .
Why B.R.S. Group FIFTY years • ago, Mr. Manager Threw Lip Andrew Arnott started His Job . , . . business in Galashieis with his father and brothers as a horse carter. In 1919 he returned from the war and bought a lorry. Trade grew until his firm had 28 vehicles in 1949. Then came nationalization, Mr. Arnotto became British Road Services depot manager at Galashiels and later manager of the Border group, comprising seven depots. He had to watch the clerical staff grow. Although there seemed to be A26
too many of them, there was plenty of work for them to do—in fact, some frequently had to work overtime. Most of his own time was spent in filling in forms. Eventually he became so disgusted that he resigned and has returned to business on his own account as a coal merchant.
Is the Range of NOT many months ago, Vehicle Types Becoin"" The Commercial Motor" ing Overcrowded?. • reported the decision of a
Surrey magistrates' court that a powered cycle, used for carrying purposes, required a C licence. In recent weeks, two new additions have been made to the list of vehicles governed by the Road Traffic Act. These are a child's pedal car and roller skates. In the one ease, a motor driver • was tined for not reporting an accident after colliding with an empty nedal car. In the other, a rollerskating enthusiast was warned that when wearing roller-skates he was not a pedestrian (or, rather, footpassenger), but a vehicle. He thus had to allow pedestrians the right of way on crossings. The world is becoming daily a more difficult place to live in.
A North Devon Story THERE is little doubt that from an A.A. Road A the road scouts of the two
Scout major motoring organizations are in a position to learn a great deal about road transport in all its forms, and many must have some most interesting and, sometimes, amusing stories to tell. Recently a member of our staff was chatting with an A.A. man who perambulates along the Lynton-Watersmeet Road in North Devon. Towards the end of this route is a fairly steep hill commencing with a hairpin bend and with another a short distance on. According to the scout, one day an ancient light vehicle driven by a fairly old but certainly active man, stalled at the first bend and his efforts to restart resulted in much buck jumping until the driver was advised to start in low gear instead of top. By the time he got going properly he and the scout were nearing the second hairpin. Thinking all was well, the latter turned to descend. Hearing warning shouts, he looked back and saw the old driver running down the hill chased by his vehicle. It seems that it had again stalled, and finding that the brakes would not hold, he leapt out and tried, but failed, to act as a sprag. However, as the steering wheel had been turned for the bend, the result was merely an abrupt stop against a cliff at the side of the road.
ON the eve of Coventry's holiday week, with bookings jammed and hundreds
turned away unsuccessful, the local travel agents were expressing strong criticism of the mass-holiday system. One agent said at the time: "There is not a seat left on coach daytrips or tours, whilst the position in respect of tours to Paris and Jersey is hopeless until the end of August. The main trouble is that the holiday week applies not only to Coventry, but also to Birmingham, Northampton and other large Midland centres." The week before the holiday, queues which, for a time, were half a mile long, were waiting for reservations; even then many people had to be turned away.
Mass Holidays Cause Great Transport Difficulties . . .