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London Driver Visits Warsaw

12th September 1952
Page 28
Page 28, 12th September 1952 — London Driver Visits Warsaw
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INFORMAT1ON regarding transport in other .1 countries, particularly those which, for one reason or other, most people find difficult to visit, is often of considerable interest. Recently a London trolleybus driver was one of a number of trade unionists selected to 'visit Poland, and his observations upon transport there are enlightening.

In Warsaw 84 per cent. of the buildings and most other amenities, including the roads, were destroyed by the Germans, but now the population is nearly 800.000, and the difficulties in giving these people mobility appear to have been great and are not yet overcome. Means for passenger transport to-day comprise trams, trolleybuses and motorbuses, all single-deckers, with the passengers boarding at the rear and alighting at the forward end. There are not nearly enough yet, but it is estimated that by 1955 there will be a new underground railway, 550 trams, 300 buses and 150 trolleybuses, which will bring the total resources almost to the equivalent of those of London Transport in proportion to the population. According to this visitor, attempts were made to buy some British buses, but the negotiations failed.

Many industries own buses for the transport of their workers, but have the right to call on Stateowned vehicles when necessary, likewise the State can call on theirs in emergencies. Times and spells of duty are worked out by the crews and the director of the area concerned, on a.monthly basis, the crews working every third Sunday and having an extra day's leave for this. It is permissible to work 12 hours in a day if those who do so be off duty the next day.

There is a large platform at the back of every vehicle, where the conductor can sit and collect the fares, and two seats on each vehicle are reserved for invalids. If it be found that a passenger has not paid his fare, a finb of three times the amount must be paid at once. Fares are said to be comparable with those in Britain, except for workmen, who pay one-eighth the normal. Drivers are paid more than conductors, but the latter receive a bonus according to the number of tickets issued, and this usually balances the respective wages. : There are allowances for children and for wives unable to work. Rent for living accommodation is taken from the wages under a legal enactment and varies between 2i and 5 per cent.

Everyone concerned in transport must belong to the particular union for this occupation. This applies even to managers and directors, and is on the lines of the trade unions for other industries. All the arrangements for discipline, engagement and dismissal of workers, and the supervision of social and educational centres are on the basis expected in countries under the Communist regi me.

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Locations: Warsaw, London

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