Passing Comments
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EXPERIMENTAL pedestrian crossings were completed at GO junctions in Westminster and Holbort., London, this week. At these points walkers must not obstruct a vehicle proceeding straight ahead, but traffic turning at right angles must give way when there are people using the crossings. Later, when crossings are marked at points where traffic is not controlled by light signals or police, a special C sign will be added, and here all vehicles must allow free passage to any pedestrian and, if necessary, stop for that purpose.
THE subject of fares is exhaustively dealt with in L a recently published report of the American Transit Association, in which the need for selling service, as well as providing it, is emphasized. It is suggested that various bases should be adopted for fares charged to different classes of passenger, whilst all rates should be reasonably low and flexible. Amongst the conclusions reached are that a low flat rate—such as one of about 5 cents—for town travel is impracticable, whilst a high general fare does not encourage the maximum use of a service. CONSIDERABLE use is now being made of mobile ‘–'shops, and it is important to note that these are regulated by the Shop Hours Act and that they must close at the regular hours affecting the districts in which they operate. Recently, at Port Talbot Police Court, a butcher was fined for selling meat from his van shop at ten minutes past the regulation closing time.
THERE was consternation in the secretary's office 1 at the I. of T. Congress. A visitor had asked urgently for Mr. A. Winter Gray. "No; the assistant secretary would not do." At last Mr. Gray was found, and hurried back, thinking that, perhaps, the Aire and Calder Canal had dried up, but all the visitor asked was: "What time is dinner?" We refrain from giving Mr. Gray's reply.
WHILE chatting with Mr. William Whitelaw, " chairman of the London and North Eastern Railway Co., he jokingly remarked, apropos the fact that his railway is continually adding to its fleet of motor vehicles, "If things go. on as they are doing we shall soon all be on the road." Later, in thanking Lord Deramore, the chairman of Messrs. Aire and Calder Navigation, for the enjoyable trip afforded the members of the Institute of Transport, he remarked that it was a change not to have to refer to the road-andrail controversy, and he wished the canal firm continued prosperity.
T T is interesting to learn that Germany has just Ihad a Traffic Education Week to endeavour to reduce the annual loss of 8,000 lives and 220,000,000 caused by road accidents. The figures are actually greater than those for Britain, although the number of vehicles concerned is much smaller.
T T may be nice to be the owner of a smart new van, I but it is as well not to give the impression that it is intended for some other purpose than that for which it was actually purchased. A butcher in a Lancashire town recently acquired a new model with a body in polished wood. One day while meat was being delivered a woman ran out to ask who was being taken to hospital.
THE Institute of Transport visitors to the works of Karrier Motors, Ltd., were much impressed by the number and variety of the vehicles and tractors going through the shops. Good orders are in hand and Mr. Reginald Clayton, in welcoming the delegates, referred to the strong position of the company. He mentioned that the appointment of a receiver on behalf of the debenture holders was not to be considered as any indication that the company would not continue to take its place amongst the leading makers. The appointment has been made for very definite reasons, and is a matter of policy which may lead to the company being in a much stronger position than formerly.