Another Link• in Highland Transport
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TOUR article " Industry in the Highlands,by Mr.
C. S. Dunbar, Minst.T., in "The Commercial Motor" dated June 17, 1949, referred to the Highland Transport Co., Ltd., as operating a twice-daily service through from Inverness to Ullapool. Actually this company operates from Inverness to Contin, whilst from Contin to Ullapool the service is run by Mr. W... D. MacKenzie, of Garve, the weekly mileage being 936, without duplicates.
Mr. MacKenzie has six passenger vehicles and runs a passenger and mail service from Garve to Ullapool, also a similar service from Ullapool to Achiftibuie, each once daily. The weekly mileage on the Garve-Ullapool run is 396, and on that between Ultapool and Achiltibuie 324, without duplicates. Other 'vehicles in use are a three-tonner and a five-tonner under B licences, and private hire cars The total fleet consists of two 30-seat Bedfords, one 24-seat Bedford, one 20seat Bedford with mail compartment, one 14-seat Austin, also with mail compartment, a 12-seat Austin, one five-ton Bedford lorry, a three-ton . Austin lorry and two private hire cars. The annual mileage for the good vehicles is about 32,000, whilst the p.s.v. mileage is well over 90,000. Some 4,000 miles per annum are also run on p.s.v. private hire. I would point out that all repairs and overhauls, except those for bodywork, are Carried . out in Mr. MacKenzie's workshop at Garve.
You will see, therefore, that the mileage run in serving the public in Western Ross is .quite considerable, As a great follower of your esteemed paper I thought this should be brought to your notice, especially so when I see that other operators in the area are mentioned.
It might be of interest to add that the mails have been carried from Garve to Ullapool for over 100 years by the MacKenzie family. They were, until May, 1913, conveyed by horse-drawn coach. -The passengers faced a most hazardous journey in the winter months. Usually their feet were buried in deep straw and rugs. Horses were changed at Loch Drome and Aultguish -Inn. Even 'now all the services are over single-track -roads JOHN S. -H, WEBSTER, Engineer-in-Charge.
(For W. D. MacKenzie.) Garve, Ross-shire.
EARLY BUS OPERATOR CONSIDERING RE-ENTRY WAS formerly in the bus business but sold out in 1930. I have now been asked if I Would be interested in a similar business with a fleet of 13, composed of nine single-deck and two double-deck service buses and two touring coaches; garage and equipment also being available.
The service is in a rural and holiday resort. The B.T.C., through companies acquired, runs one outward and one inward journey over one of the routes, but this is a long-distance express service' and does not pick up local traffic; otherw;se there is no competition.
Before doing anything further in the matter, I would like your advice as to whether permission would be accorded to me to re-enter the business and whether I would be able to have the licences transferred to me. Also, on what financial basis does the B.T.C. take over services?
e6 Such information would help me to ascertain whether the price asked be a fair one, and enable me to cover myself in the event of the B.T.C. wishing to take the concern over at some future date. I understand that the B.T.C. cannot compulsorily acquire passenger services except under an area scheme.
Is it possible to obtain private-hire licences, or are these not granted at the moment, awing to fuel shortage?
North Britain, " Aralous."
[As you are proposing to take over a business as a going concern, it is unlikely that the Licensing Authority would refuse to grant you the licence at present held by the existing operator. Compensation for businesses taken over
is in accordance with the rules laid down
in the Transport Act, 1947. That payable
in respect of vehicles is the amount equal to the cost, at the date of transfer, of a new vehicle of a similar type, adjusted by deducting, for each year since the date when the vehicle concerned was first regis tered, one-fifth of the cost of the new vehicle for the first complete year, and in respect of each subsequent year, one-fifth of the cost as reduced by deductions made in relation to the previous year. If it be established that the pilysical condition of the vehicle is materially better, or worse,
at the date of transfer, than the normal physical condition at that date of a vehicle of the same type and age, the cost is adjusted by adding or deducting an amount fairly representing the difference. All property, other than vehicles, is paid for at a price that the property would fetch if sold in the open market, estimated as at the date of transfer and as if the Act had not been passed. Compensation for cessation of business or goodwill is payable at the rate of not less than twice and not more than seven times the average net annual profit for the three financial years ended in 1948. From the average net annual profit, is to be deducted one year's interest, at a rate to be determined by the Treasury, on the net amount of compensation payable in respect of property being transferred to the Commission. Anything left is average net annual profit. The Act provides that under area schemes, road passenger services may be compulsorily acquired. It is not necessary to obtain a road service licence to do private hire work.—En.]
THE SHORTER THE SWEETER
VOUR advice to M.P. after-dinner speakers (" The I Commercial Motor," July 1, page 554) should be taken also by some members of the road transport industry. When I hear the toastmaster announce certain speakers, with the injunction "See that your glasses are charged," I always expect him to add "and put down your beds for the night." — London, N.I4. SUFFERER.
APPRECIATIVE READER WISHES TO HELP OTHERS
FOR over 10 years I have been a regular reader of "The Commercial Motor," and have a large number of back copies, all carefully preserved, some as early as 1937.
I do not .feel inclined to destroy them; for they are extremely valuable as records and contain a mine of information valuable to anyone who, like myself, is employed in road transport. I am wondering if you know of anyone to whom they would be of use.
Incidentally, I must thank you for a most excellent journal, which .1 have always found Most interesting, apart from its being well printed and illustrated and of
convenient size for handling. I am also a lover of
books of all sorts, and would like to say that Temple Press journals i.nd books are the head of their class in technical matters. As marine engines are a hobby of mine, I am also fortunate in having your associated journal, "The Motor Ship." R. M. ROGERS. Brid port.
[It may be that some of our more recent readers would like to take advantage of this offer, and if any requests from them are sent to us they will he forwarded to this correspondent. We thank him for his appreciative corn ments regarding both this journal and our other publications. It is our aim to keep our journals and books in the highest class.—ED.1
A YOUNG ENTHUSIAST
I WOULD just like to say how much I appreciate "The I Commercial Motor." Although I am only 14 years of age, I find plenty of articles, etc., interest me in it. Commercial road transport is my hobby and your journal supplies all my needs in this respect.
Bowdon. JOHN B POTTER.