PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
Page 65
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.
FEEDING DUTCH AIR LINES BY SALOON COACH.
Another Sphere of Travel Between England and the Continent in Which the Road Motor has Proved Indispensable.
BBING noted for the punctuality and the consistency of their aerial services between this country, the Continent and Scandinavia, the K.L.M. Co., who operate the Royal Dutch Airlines, naturally insist that the road • services which are run • between the Croydon Aerodrome and the Metropolis for the benefit of their patrons shall be maintained by up-to-date vehicles,thus en suring the utmost efficiency. It is therefore a cbmpliment to Mr. A. B. Johnson, road transport contractor, 170, Replingham Road, Southfields, London, S.W.18, that he has secured the contract
for these services. Incidentally, this contractor has carried freight for the K.L.M. Co. during the past 18 months, a small fleet of Ford vans lseing used for this purpose.
The two Reo vehicles which are used for the passenger-carrying services have recently been delivered by Harris and Hasell, Ltd., and have well-built saloon bodies constructed by the Wilton Carriage Co., Ltd.. of Croydon. One of them is on the Sprinter chassis and the other on the Pullman Junior chassis.
Both of the saloon bodies are arranged to seat 16 persons in comfort. They are of the same design, except that the body on the Pullman Junior chassis is slightly the longer. There are two pairs of facing-forward seats placed on each side of a wide central gangway and seats for two situated longitudinally over the wheel arches, whilst the rearmost seat accommodates four passengers with ease. An extra tip-up single seat is also fitted next to the driver's seat and level with the forward door on the near side ; there is a second door on the near side, as well as one on the off side for the driver's use. Brown, grained furnishing hide is used for all the upholstery work. Ventilation is provided by Airvac roof-type equipment and winder-actuated drop windows. Declawat ash-trays of the circular pattern are also employed.
Lincrusta is used for the ceiling decoration and its effect is enhanced by polished grained, walnut beading. Walnut is also used for the interior panelling above the waist line. The bodies are smartly finished in two shades of blue, with black roofs and mouldings.
With regard to the actual service details, three journeys are made daily in both directions between the Hotel Victoria, in Northumberland Avenue, and Croydon Aerodrome. The run occupies roughly one hour, the coaches at present leaving the hotel at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and returning from the aerodrome at 12.5 p.m., 3.45 p.m. and 8.5 p.m. In all cases, of course, the arrival and departure times of the coaches are arranged to connect with those of the air liners. It may be mentioned that these times will be slightly altered later in the year Charges for this service are, of course, inchrded in the fare for the whole journey by road and air. Luggage to the amount of 30 lb. can be carried free by each passenger, but 5d. is charged for every 1 lb. over that weight. This baggage is, of course, conveyed under waterproof covers on the roofs of the. coaches. Mail is also taken by the Rens, a special box, which is locked, being secured near the driver's feet to hold specially important communications, or those containing valutIbles.
We understand that at this period of the year 220 passengers per week are being dealt with by the coaches, whilst the amount of freight carried by the Fords is 6 tons to 8 tons per _week.