Amendments to Fitness Regulations
Page 51
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SEVERAL amendments to the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness) Regulations, 1936, are proposed by the Minister of Transport. Provisional Regulations to be known as the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness) (Amendment) Provisional Regulations, 1937, are likely to be made about January 18.
It is proposed to replace paragraph 3 of Regulation 30 by the following:— " Every entrance of a vehicle used as a stage carriage (other than a singledecked vehicle not fitted with a permanent top, or a vehicle with a seating rapacity for not more than 14 passengers and provided with a means of exit and entrance behind the rear wheels) shall be on the near side, except when a rear platform is provided, to which There is an entrance both from the near side and from the rear of the vehicle."
Regulation 43 is to be modified by the addition of the following proviso :—" Provided that, in the case of a continuous seat, the number of passengers for whom that seat is provided shall be so calculated that one person shall be counted for each complete length of 16 ins, measured in a straight line lengthwise on the front of each seat; and where any such continuous seat is fitted with arms for the purpose of separating the seating spaces, and such arms are so constructed that they can be folded back or otherwise put out of use, such seat shall be measured for the purpose of this Regulation as if it had not been fitted with such arms."
When the Conditions of Fitness Regulations are reviewed later this year, the Minister proposes to amend Regulation 32 by including additional provisions regarding door locks. It is proposed to amend the opening words of paragraph 1 of the Regulations to provide that every entrance and exit door shall be provided with means for holding the door securely in the closed position, and shall be capable of being opened by one operation of the locking mechanism.
In paragraph 2, after, the word " accidentally " in 'the third line, the following is to be inserted : —" and door fasteners or catches shall be so designed and disposed that they are not liable 'to be rendered ineffective." The rest of the paragraph will be retained in its present form.
The reason for this action is that it has • been found that locks tend to become ineffective by the accumulation of dirt or other matter in the boles or slots in which the bolts are designed to engage. An accident has arisen from this cause.
LICENCES GRANTED FOR SWANSEA SERVICES.
LAST week, the South Wales Traffic Commissioners granted licences to the South Wales Transport Co., Ltd., in respect of seven new bus routes, which are to supersede the tramways at Swansea. The first of the new services will come into operation in March. Numerous reductions in fares will be made.
Mr. A. J. James, K.C., chairman of the Commissioners, congratulated the company on reaching an agreement with the corporation without protracted disputes arising.