A NEW TYPE OF PASSENGER VEHICLE.
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An Unusual Design of Motor Coach which has been Specially Built for Promenade Service at Bournemouth
TWO weeks ago the corporation of. 1 Bournemouth inaugurated what. is likely to rank as the most profitable of its many successful undertakings in the shape of a motor service between Bournemouth and Boseombe piers on the beautiful Undercliff Drive. Some form' of public service on the sea front has been badly needed, and the corporation is tc be congratulated on coming to the rescue with three "runabouts" of a type which is in reality a specially designed vehicle with a low loading line and a seating capacity for 16 passengers including the. driver.
The venture met with 'immediate sue Cess, despite the rather high fare of 6d. which is charged for a distance of, ap-. proximately, 11 miles, queues lining up in quick succession for this new form of pleasure riding. All: vehicles are limited to a speed of 8 miles per hour on the Drive, and; .consequently, the " runabouts " also have. to conform with the regulations, so that, between them, the vehicles-are able to maintain practically a five-minute.service, the journey, occupying anything from 10 to 12 minutes, accerdingto whether, any stops for loading or unloading are made en route.
With. the exception of the meal hours, the majority• of the journeys; 'since.th e inception of the service; have been made -With .a full load ,(7s. 6d.), and even two or three extra passengers have been carried, so that it is not very difficult to assume that it bids fair to be one of the most profitable ventures of its kind in the country; in fact, thereis scarcely. any doubt that before the end of. the year the whole of the capital expended
will be .returned, •.
The venture, we are given to under.'
• stand, had been in -contemplation' for some considerable time, but had Met with opposition, chiefly on the score that the passage.to and frond the ordinary.motor coach or bus type of vehicle
_ would do considerable damage to the excellent road surface, and further be too noisy.
The question, therefore, was to evelve a suitable vehicle which would overcome • these objections. That, this has been achieved' is proved by the noiseless and smooth running of the vehicles during • the past two weeks.' •
The corporation 'submitted its requirements to a number, of-concerns, the contract being secured by .a local firm of coachbuilders • Messrs. J. and A. Steane, Markham. Road, Bournemouth, who selected the 25-cwt. chassis mann
factured by Guy Motors, Ltd., of Wolverhampton, Which was specially moth' lied to meet with the design of body they had in view. • The chief alterations from standard : practice in the design of the chassis are forced water circulation for the engine instead of the thermo-siphonic system, extra large-capacity radiator, and 20-in. by 3i-in. steel disc wheels, with solid tyres, those at the rear being of the twin pattern. • Specially: low gearing has also been , employed, the maximum speed being 15 m.p.h.., while, it is only necessary to use top gear for ordinary running, the bottom ratio being solely for emergency use or for employment if the vehicle be transferred to a Lilly route.
The four-cylinder engine has a bore of 85 mm, and a stroke of 114 mm., the mushroom-type valves being placed in an inclined position according to the patented and well-proved design of Guy Motors' Ltd. The three-speed centrally operated gearbox is in semi-unit construction, the drive being taken through a single dry-plots fabric-lined clutch and an open propeller shaft to an overhead worm-driven bevel differential full floating axle.
Suspension all round is by serni-elliptic Springs, those at, the rear being unclorslung. A noteworthy feature is that all the important chassis components are lubricated automatically, and that they are very accessible.
The bodywork is a fitting complement to the chassis. The seats, which are made up of mahogany slats, all face to the front, and enable exit and in gress from each side of the vehicle, whilst the backs are curved so AS to give reasonable comfort, the driver only being provided with a cushion. Protection from rain and San is provided by a flied canopy, curved so that it merges neatly into the rear panel, although no windscreen is provided. Already, however, one or two improvements, are Contemplated, and it is probald( that, in order to increase the cornbolt of the passengers during stormy Or windy weather that roller-type side curtains and a windscreen will be fitted.
A double. step running' the entire length of the vehicle is fitted on each side, making easy exit or entry for even the most infirm; in fact., very great attention has been given to this point, the chassis having been made as low as possible—in some cases the road clearance is only 3 ins.
A curved valance, beeides enhancing the general appearance, also prevents unwary or careless passengers slipping down between the running boards and the side members of the chassis frame.
Frier people are accommodated on each seat, and in the front seat, one passenger sits on the off side of the driver. Other features are the provision of a rear .light, in the back of the canopy, and the excellent steering lock, which* enables the vehicle to turn in a very small radius.
The drivers have been enlisted from the tramcar ranks, each man also acting as a conductor, although a relief conductor collects the fares as The vehicle departs, boarding another and repeating . the operation as the "runabouts" meet.
Complaints are being made in some quarters as to the high fares which are charged, but -our representative, on the other hand, found people only too willing to payfor a very enjoyable ride along one of the 'finest sea promenades in the kingdom. The cost of the new vehicles was pro. vided for out of the surplus of the tram. ways account for the year ended March 31st last.