AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Conducted by EDMUND DANGERFIELD. Editor: EDWARD S. SHRAPNELL-SMITH.

11th December 1913
Page 1
Page 1, 11th December 1913 — Conducted by EDMUND DANGERFIELD. Editor: EDWARD S. SHRAPNELL-SMITH.
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Country Motorbus Services.

There have been flamboyant announcements, in the shape of advertisements, during the past few days, with respect to possible great extensions of country motorbus services, by an undertaking which was floated, under the name of Greater Omnibus Services, Ltd., in July last. Whereas, on that former occasion, a inap accompanied the prospectus with a variety of haphazard circular areas outlined upon it, the present map, which is confined to England and Wales, professes to show greater detail. Trunk and other roads in all parts of the country are shown upon this map, and the line below it reads : " Every public road in the country is a route for the company's motorbuses."

We consider this method of seeking money from some sections of the public is regrettable and to be deprecated. Our two principal reasons are : (a) that unnecessary feelings of alarm are roused amongst local authorities throughout the country ; (b) that the ate of progress of development which is forecasted is impossible of achievement.

.N othing can be more dangerous, in motorbus propaoarida, than to argue from the particular ease of London to the general case of the country as a whole. There are differences, which we have not failed to admit, between London and the great provincial cities of the country, and any references to proposals for motorbus operation in the largest industrial centres require to be examined most .critically. We notice, hereanent, that the company does not specifically pledge itself to establish services in large provincial cities and towns, but that somewhat-loose references are made to " the inauguration of the company's system at the proposed cities in that portion of Lancesiiire and other counties through which services are proposed to he operated will link together large populations in the vicinity of towns such as Liverpool, Bootle, Manchester, Salford, Burnley, Bolton, Blackburn, Preston, Southport, Wigan, Warringon, eta." Knowing the ground as we do, we should hesitate to adopt the view that the company's anticipations in respect of Lancashire will be realized without a display of unique organizing ability, and the expenditure of much bard work—and money. There is undoubtedly scope for further transport organization and development, but we should be inclined ourselves to expect. a greater measure of success in the Provinces generally from the operation of eornoosite single-deck vehicles, for which it is now possible to purchase bodies to provide normal accommodation for 28 passengers, than with either chars-a-banes or ordinary double-deckers. This point, however, may be well-known to the parties who are responsible for the contemplated extensions, although their front-page announcement in the financial supplement to "The Times" of Monday last is headed "The London type. of motor and London system of management and service to be inaugurated throughout England, in disinicts of greatest population, by Greater Omnibus ervices, Ltd."

The intrinsic value of the project terns upon the intentions of those who are resprinsible for it. We

certainly wish them well, if they are not merely setting out to gain what. we may term a " snap" profit on the promotion, and to provide a repetition of the disappointment which followed the promotion arid failure of the Great Horseless Carriage Co., Ltd., some 17 yearn ago. Municipalities which are now favouring the purchase of motorbuses will have their ,own views, we know, in regard to the statement that the company's vehicles will Garry passengers "to the business centre of the towns to which they travel, instead of setting them down at 'the outskirts of the town." There is, none the less, money in plenty to be made, subject to proper handling, in the Provinces.

Motor Taxation and Roads : London's Claim and Share.

There was a tremendous outcry on the part of provincial owners of motorcars, a little less than two years ago, when the first proposals for the construction of a western approach highway for London were takmg definite form. That first proposal, as many readers will remember, concerned a scheme which extended the suggested new highway inside the area of the London County Council, and the cost to the Road Board,, winch is equivalent to the cost to motorists exclusively, was then to be approximately half of 2870,000 for the larger Cromwell-road scheme. More recently, by reason of the curtailment of the scheme which followed the refusal of the L.C.C. to contribute, which refusal was largely caused by the wish of the L.C.C. to make a bargain in advance to secure its right to run electric tramcars along the road, or at least the London end of it, the Road Board contribution has been varied in percentage whilst remaining much the same in amount.

The revolt of provincial automobilists, to which expression was given by their representatives on the General Committee of the Royal Automobile Club and associated clubs, was directed to the point that this large sum of money was to be spent near London and upon one length of highwa.y.

It is common knowledge that carriage taxes and petrol taxes which are levied upon London's motorcars, motorbuses, motorcab:s and motorvans reach a total figure which it is safe to state at approximately 2150,000 per annum. The justice of the arguments coneernmg source of revenue is now shown by the intention of the Middlesex County Council, expressed in the private Bill which has been lodged for consideration by Parliament during the coming session, to complete the construction of the road within a time limit of seven years from the date on which the Bill becomes an Act. Assuming that the Bill passes through slI its stages by July next, and having regard to the yield from. London motor and petrol taxation .since the Finance Act of 1910 became operative, it looks as though London would receive, after allowance is made for the £250,000 ear-marked already for its Boroughs, very considerably less than it has contriknited, and that the Provinces will have no genuine cause for complaint. This projected western highway wIl serve not fewer than 12 counties.


comments powered by Disqus