Q What is the total annual UK market for buses and
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coaches, divided into two classifications: municipal undertakings; private and nationalized undertakings?
AIt is difficult to get exact figures for the
total intake of new vehicles per annum, but records show that last year municipal undertakings purchased a total of 1,632 buses while private and nationalized company groups obtained 2,652 buses and coaches. These figures do not account for the very many independent undertakings which purchase mainly light passenger chassis. But at least 3,000 buses and coaches were purchased during the past year by such operators.
n As an operator I have been having
trouble with the brakes of a new 71--ton TK Bedford purchased in July. When the vehicle has done some hill work and the brakes are hot the pedal goes hard and braking performance is greatly reduced until the brakes have cooled off again. There is good air pressure and though the vehicle has been returned to the suppliers to find out the reason it is still no better although they are a reputable firm. The brakes are perfect in flat country when reasonably cool. What is the solution to the problem?
AIt would seem that this brake trouble is due to the linings being prone to fade. As this has not been a finding of the COMMERCIAL Mon> road test of this model it would seem that the brakes on this particular vehicle have been subjected to more work than given on fairly severe fade tests. This may have resulted ' in the linings becoming "glazedand there may have been an effect on the drums too. It is suggested that the best way to get an answer to this problem would be to have the supplier contact the manufacturers of the brake linings to see if they can get a technical representative to look into the problem.