The Motor Omnibus World.
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The inhabitants of Okehampton, Hatherleigh and Torrington are petitioning the London and South-Western Railway tor a motor omnibus service to connect those places.
The latest service of omnibuses instituted by the Great Eastern Railway was begun on Saturday last between -Chelmsford, Danbury, Great Baddow, Writtle, Broomfield and Great and Little Waltham.
The next service to be operated by the Great Western Railway Company will be one between Glyn Neath and Mountain Ash. There will be stopping places at Pontwalby, Rhigos, between Hirwain and Glyn Neath, Llwydcoed Farm, Harriet Street, Trecynon and Cwrnbach.
Major H. Pid.cock-Henzell, who is the vice-chairman of the Farnborough Urban District Council, is an advocate of .a motor omnibus service between that place and Aldershot. The general feeling in the district is in favour of a road vehicle service in preference to one on metal rails.
The practice of memorialising or petitioning railway corn,panies in connection with deficient passenger services appears to be gaining favour. We learn that the inhabitants of hilltop, Darling-ton, are approaching the directors of the North Eastern Railway Company for an improved railway service between Crook and Waterhouses, or, failing that concession, for the establishment of a motor omnibus service_
A Torquay cab-driver has written to the local Press stating that his poor horses can scarcely stand because the incessant spilling of oil has turned the roads into skating rinks. He goes on to state that the wheels of the buses pick up every soft spot and leave a series of holes in the roads, which are a constant source of danger, and concludes by saying that an accident " is certain to happen sooner or later." This opposition appears to be anything but well founded.
The double-deck Clarkson omnibus owned by the London Road Car Company, Limited, which we illustrated in our issue of August 24th, has been running in the company's service between Oxford Circus and Hammersmith for nearly _a fortnight. Its smooth and silent movement has already .made it a favourite with regular passengers on this line, and it will be noticed from the illustration that the driver occupies a commanding position in front of the car, which .method of seating the man also possesses the advantage of shortening the overall length of the vehicle. This bus runs without odour, and the cost of fuel is less than I. 25d. per mile. The I love Town Council has considered a memorial from some tradesmen in the town regarding the routes and, speeds of motor omnibuses, but the decision of the watch committee is that no action can be taken in the matter. Further, two more buses are recommended to be licensed by the local council at its next meeting. .
A more powerful Thornycroft omnibus has recently been placed upon the Farnham-Haslemere route by the London and South estern Railway Company_ The vehicle has a 24h.p. motor, weighs 4 tons 7cwt., and carries 18 passengers inside. There is ample provision for luggage and parcels on the roof, and the vehicle is well patronised.
"lhe Newcastle Chronicle," in referring to the projected service of motor omnibuses between Durham and adjacent colliery villages, says For zo years the inhabitants of this district have been seeking better travelling facilities, but the railway company are so busy catering for through traffic that they could never be bothered with this part of Durham." Attention is directed to the revised programme of the Soc.M.O.Eng., as given in the diary on page 2.
The latest Leyland omnibus chassis supplied by the Lancashire Steam Motor Company, Limited, for the London General Omnibus Company, has a seating capacity of 16 inside and t8 outside.
We are informed that the directors of the London Motor Omnibus Company, Limited, do not immediately intend to issue the additional ,200,000 of capital which was authorised at the recent general meeting of shareholders.
Motor omnibuses are to run between Stephariplatz, the central point of Vienna, and the South Railway Station, the busiest terminus in the city. They will be benzine-driven vehicles, built by a large motor firm in the vicinity of Berlin.
The motor-omnibus service between Saslow and Grinclleford commenced running on the 4th inst. The first vehicle delivered is a Durkopp, which has been supplied by the Motor Car Emporium, Limited, of 1, Addison Road North, London, W. A photograph is reproduced on page 4.
The " Vanguard " bus which is plying between London and Brighton has been subject to observation by the police on the road south of Handcross Hill. It is reported that the passengers all combine to espy the men in blue and to warn the driver.
"The Financial News " reproduces an advertisement in which a two-thirds share in a motor bus service is offered for the sum of £275, with a guarantee that the return on the capital will be at least 20 per cent, per annum. Our contemporary states that this is in a motor bus running beiween Blackheath Hill and the Brook Hotel, Shooter's Hill.
The mayor of the City of Durham, Mr. G. H. Proctor, recently presided at a meeting of influential local residents to consider the question of Inaugurating a service of motor omnibuses between Durham and various populous centres in the neighbourhood such as Brandon and Langley Moor. Funds were guaranteed by those present, and a Clarkson steam omnibus is now being put through a series of severe tests.
The Isle of Wight police are harassing the motor omnibus service in the island, and the conviction reported in our issue of August 31st, page 468 ante, has already been followed by two others, where the fines imposed were £3 and £4, with a total of 34s. costs. In the last-named case, which was for driving in a manner dangerous to the public, the driver's license was endorsed. It looks as though there were something in the nature of an organised persecution of the motor drivers, and the secretary of the Isle of Wight Motor Syndicate, Limited, has written to the Press to give publicity to the fact that there has not been an injury to a single passenger, to date, in nearly 6o,000 vehicle-miles. Advertising on motor omnibuses is receiving the undivided attention of the Motor Bus Advertising Company, Limited, whose registered office is at Bright Buildings, Birmingham. The company also has a London office at Albany House, Albany Street, N.W. The energies of the management have resulted in the company's securing the rights for the " Vanguard" and " Victory " routes of the London Motor Omnibus Company, Limited, and the managing director, Mr. A. Fletcher, is open to accept other contracts of a like nature.
Bavaria is going ahead with State motor omnibus lines. Only a few weeks back the Post Administration established one between Tolzand-Lenggries, and now the former town has been connected with Bichl by two Daimlers. The distance is sorne io miles, and the buses cover this in a Mile over an hour_ District-Magistrate Baron von Malsen, Director General von Ringer, and a number of other Government officials, took part in the trial trip. The s'ervice may be described as having jumped into popularity, seats being at a premium.