NEW ATTEMPT TO REVISE P.S.V. REGULATIONS
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A FTER a lapse of nearly three years, the Ministry of Transport has
made a second attempt at redrafting the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness) Regulations. A new draft was prepared in October, 1953, since when the Ministry has been considering views expressed on it The latest attempt is described as a " final redraft," on which representations may be made not later than Augutst 4. Various changes proposed in 1953 have again been modified.
The definition of a gangway has been altered slightly to avoid doubt as to the legality of a longitudinal seat facing the driver and to facilitate the use of staggered seats on some vehicles. This. in turn, has involved an amendment of the regulation dealing with the height of gangways. The minimum amounts of headroom are unchanged, but they must "extend from the front edge of the foremost passenger seat adjacent to the gangway to the front edge of the rearmost passenger seat adjacent to that gangway."
Bigger Turning Circles Turning circles are proposed to he increased from 63 ft. (in the 1953 redraft) to 65 ft. for a vehicle not longer than 27 ft. and from 69 ft. to 71 ft. for a vehicle over 27 ft. long. These are swept circles—not outside wheel tracks.
Transmission brakes operated mechanically by hand lever and taking effect directly on the final drive arc to be permitted, in accordance with S.1.1955 No. 472.
A new proposal is that "adequate artificial lighting shall be provided for any step or platform forming part of any entrance or exit other than an emergency exit." Every starter-motor circuit must have an isolating switch— as distinct from fuse—" in an easily accessible position." The 1953 draft specified a fuse or switch, which had to he easily accessible to the driver.
To avoid present ambiguity, a rear platform is defined as "a platform•from which passengers can step directly to the ground through an exit without any step intervening." The outer edge must have non-slip treads.
Extra Emergency Exit
If a single-decker or the lower deck of a double-decker seats more than 30 persons (instead of 28), and if the two exits required by law are nearer than 10 ft. apart, an additional exit must be provided. This may take the form of a window at least 3 ft. by 1 ft. 9 in. and must he at least 10 ft. away from either of the other two exits. A seat may he placed in front of. or below. it.
The outside mechanism for locking a door (other than the emergency exit on an upper deck or in the roof of a halfdecked vehicle) "shall be easily accessible to persons of normal 'height standing at ground level outside the vehicle."
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A gangway serving an exit (other than an emergency exit) must. within 3 ft. of that door, be at least 1 ft. 9 in. wide. It was originally proposed that, at a height of 2 ft. 6 in, from the ground. it should he at least 2 ft. 6 in. wide.
Any seat must have at least 2 ft. of clear space in front of the backrest and 9 in, in front of any part of it, If it accommodates more than three passengers, is fitted to a stage carriage and can be reached only from one end, there must • he 2 rt. 3 in. of clear space in front of the backrest and 1 ft. in front of any part.
Apart from being adjustable vertically and horizontally, the driver's seat must, when fully forward, afford at least 1 ft. 4 in. of space between the backrest and the steering wheel. There must be a clearance of not less than 9 in. between the seat cushion and the steering wheel when the seat is fully raised.
Screen Beside Driver
If the driver's seat is continuous with a seat for passengers on his left, he must be separated from them by a solid partition extending at least 9 in. above the seat. Previously he was to be screened from any passenger on his left, even if separated by the engine.
Only one windscreen wiper is to be demanded and if "an adequate demisting device" is fitted. the windscreen may be fixed.
The volume control has been added to the controls of a wireless set which may be within a driver's reach when "hd is in his 'seat.
LEYLAND BUY FARINGTON WORKS
THE Government factory at Faring" ton, near Preston, has been bought by Leyland Motors. Ltd. It is next to the main Leyland factories in Lancashire and was built and managed by the company for the Ministry of Supply.
Covering over Im, sq. ft., the building will be used to assist Leyland's expansion programme to meet increasing demands for vehicles and engines. The employees, many of whom are exLeyland employees formerly engaged upon tank production, will be absorbed by the company.
The factory has its own power station and includes modern tool rooms and development departments. heattreat,ment and plate sections. large machine shops and assembly beds.
No Discrimination Against Buses
D1SCRIMINATION against buses was strongly criticized by Mr. H. .1. Thom, chairman of the South Eastern Licensing Authority, at Canterbury, last week. The Authority heard an application by the East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd., to re-route a number of services running between Canterbury and the east Kent coast consequent on the opening of a new £80,000 bus station.
" Buses seem to be an easy target because of their size, and because they can be got at through the Licensing Authority," said Mr. Thom. "We feel everything should be done to relieve congestion, especially at Canterbury, but it is our duty to look after the men and women who usc buses."
Referring to opposition to the application by Canterbury City Council, Mr. Thom continued: "If the council feel that congestion is due to vehicles of a particular size, then the proper course is to have an Order made banning he use of these streets by such vehicles.
" We must dissociate ourselves from the suggestion that cars should be allowed to park on both sides of the street and buses kept out. That seems to he a monstrous suggestion."
Mr. J. Boyle, town clerk, said the proposal "that country services should still proceed into narrow medieval streets strikes my council with dismay."
The company, he claimed, had been inconsistent. His council were surprised that, after providing the site for the new station, the company did not attempt to relieve congestion, but came forward with proposals that would make it worse.
For the company, Mr. P. E. R. English said the routes in question—to Thanet and Herne Bay—had been in operation for two months under a pensation granted by the Ltcensing Authority. More than 100 Canterbury traders had petitioned for this to continue.
The Authority granted the application. except in respect of express services, which were ordered to use the outer route at Canterbury.
L.T.E. RECEIVE PAY CLAIM
THE Transport and General Workers' Union confirmed on Tuesday that they had submitted to the London Transport Executive a claim for a "substantial increase" in pay on behalf of London's 58,000 bus workers. This move was foreshadowed in The Commercial Motor last week, but it was not expected to be made until th:-: municipal application had been settled.
The claim for higher pay for municipal bus workers was considered at a full meeting of the National Joint Industrial Council for the rod passenger transport industry, in London. yesterday.
A similar demand for workers employed by provincial bus companies is expected to be made soon.
Exhaust Fumes Not Harmful, But— "THERE is no scientific evidence Ithat exhausts are harmful to health—but those who are exposed daily to exhaust fumes need no evidence other than that of their own senses that exhaust products are irritating and unpleasant and therefore damaging to well being, that is to health in the broad sense."
This is stated by Dr. C. Metcalfe Brown, Manchester's medical officer of health, in a report on atmospheric pollution by vehicles, with particular reference to the exhausts of oil-engined buses.
He says that Manchester Corporation buses are well maintained. "There are other vehicles which are more guilty—some lorries are either not well maintained or they arc negligently operated. Sometimes there is an attempt to gain additional power by injecting excess fuel, so causing enormously increased pollution of the air by exhaust products."
Dr. Brown recommends that there should be no hesitation in using existing police powers and possible new public health power, for the discouragement of pollution caused by faulty maintenance and bad operation.
As the abolition of petroland oilengined vehicles was apparently impracticable," said Dr. Brown, there was little hope of a reduction in exhaust gases.
NEW GOODYEAR SAFETY TYRE
ATYRE which does not depend upon its outer casing for safety, or the ability to continue running, has been introduced by the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. It can be described as a tyre within a tyre, in that there are two air chambers. The casing is inflated by means of a needle valve located in the side wall, whilst the inner chamber, Which is in two-ply nylon, is fitted with a normal valve.
Even if the casing is ripped open it is possible to carry on driving for 100 miles or so, as the vehicle is adequately supported on the inflated inner chamber.
ACTION ON BUS "MONOPOLY"
ANTI-TRUST action, charging the company with illegal monopolistic practices in the manufacture of buses, is to be taken against General Motors by the United States Government.
The Government will seek to divest the company of their bus-manufacturing division which, according to a report of the Senate Sub-committee on Monopolies, produces more than 80 per cent. of the buses made in the U.S.A.
Mr. Hodgson Criticizes Use of Cheap Returns
A STONISHMENT that passengers rt were being allowed to use the inward half of cheap day-return tickets other than on the day of issue was expressed by the chairman of the South Wales Licensing Authority, Mr. C. R. Hodgson, at Whitchurch, last week.
"It has come to my notice recently," he said, "that there is a difference in the outlook of certain bus companies about the availability of cheap dayreturn tickets. Some of the companies observe strictly what a normal person would regard as availability, namely, that the return half is available only on the day of issue, but a lot of companies allow passengers to return on ;1 subsequent day on payment of a ,supplement."
Asked by Mr. Hodgson what the practice was in his undertaking. Mr. C. Thomas, general manager of Caerphilly Transport Department, said they were available only on the day of issue. There was no point in having a cheap day-return unless it was restricted to one day.
Mr. Hodgson said that was his view. "I was astonished to learn at Cardigan and Swansea yesterday and the day before that some of the companies are not observing what is clearly a contract in law. A day-return ticket means a day return.
'1 shall have to confirm all this, and I am raising the matter at the next Licensing Authorities' conference, in London, the week after next," Mr. Hodgson said.
GROCERY WORKERS' PAY UP
PAY increases, dating from June 24, have been awarded to transport workers in the grocery trade. Men have had their wages raked by 10s. a week, women receiving an extra 7s. 6d.
A conference of members of the Transport and General Workers' Union employed in the co-operative movement has agreed to refer to the appropriate trade unions the question of seeking higher pay.
A.C.V. s 69 Charges : "Laxity" Alleged
SIXTY-NINE summonses were brought against Associated Commercial Vehicles, Ltd., and five of their drivers at Alcester on Monday. Thirtyfive of the charges concerned the Maudslay Motor Co., Ltd. All related to failure to comply with the conditions of a C licence in respect of average speeds at which vehicles were driven, and hours worked by the drivers.
Mr. M. T. A. Mathews. prosecuting for the West Midland Licensing Authority, said that the summonses arose from an examination of drivers' records covering a 10-week period from December 5, 1955. In making his report, the examiner suggested that there had been a good deal of laxity in the supervision of the drivers.
Sir Theodore Pritchett, defending, said that if the records had not been correctly kept. the proceedings would not have been possible.
"This is an exceedingly busy works doing its utmost in the national interests to sell its products abroad. These lorry drivers were getting on the job delivering goods where they were wanted, and 'getting home again," he said. He added that the 20 m.p.h. limit was holding up the whole industry of the country.
The department in which the records were kept had been affected by reorganization at the Maudslay works.
All charges were admitted. A.C.V. paid £1 10s, on each summons against them, a total of £52 10s., plus £21 advocate's fee and 10s. costs. A driver on two charges paid' £2 in fines; two each on three charges paid £3 each; another on seven counts paid £3 10s.; and the fifth. who appeared on 19 counts, paid £3 I6s.
SENTINEL VEHICLES NOT AFFECTED BY NEW PLANS
TN an attempt to capture world markets I for automation machines, Sentinel (Shrewsbury), Ltd., are to increase their staff from 1,800 to probably 4,000 in the next 10 years, the managing director, Mr. J. T. Rymer, said on Monday.
The Commercial Molar understands that the company's plans in this direction are not, at the moment, expected to affect vehicle production.
Mr. Rymer said the Shrewsbury factory could produce between £4m. and £6m. worth of automation machinery a year, and that delivery could be made in six weeks.
ONE RAILWAY=60 BUSES
DURING the second reading in the House of Commons, last week, of the Liverpool Overhead Railway Bill, Mrs. E. M. Braddock (Lab.. Liverpool, Exchange) said that if the railway were closed Liverpool Corporation would have to provide 60 extra buses. Another 150 staff would be required, but the transport department was already short of 550 workers.
At present, no buses were available to serve the docks.