Passenger Transport News
Page 53
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SERIOUS LOSSES OF STAFF BY. YORKSHIRE OPERATORS
BUS drivers and conductors who are attracted by the five-day week in factories were mentioned at a sitting of the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners, on May 8, at Harrogate.
When Major F. S. Eastwood, chairman of the Commissioners, inquired into the position of the Yorkshire Woollen District Transport Co., Ltd., with regard to conductors, Mr, B. Hilton, traffic manager, said that it was becoming worse. The company had lost nine conductors that day, he said. Drivers were also leaving, 15 having gone the previous week. °thee bus companies in Yorkshire report similar losses of personnel, including both men awl women conductors. Not only have men left to work in mills; some have gone to the coal mines.
In the Keighley area, the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., has during the past two months lost from six to ten .conductors a week. The West Riding Automobile Co., Ltd., has lost about 50 employees, including drivers and conductors, in the past month or so.
There are suggestions that services may have to be reduced and staff holidays postponed. On the other hand, the introduction of the 44-hour week may check the losses in personnel.
P.V.O.A. CONSIDERING TAX SCHEME
AREA committees of the Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association are considering representations made by private-car interests for a change in the basis of taxation. It has been suggested that a nominal registration fee of L5 per annum should be charged for• every vehicle, irrespective of size, and that an additional tax of 3d. per gallon should be imposed on fuel.
The area committees of the P.V.O.A. will submit their views to the national council, which will consider what guarantee there would be that, if the present taxation revenue were not maintained, the Chancellor of the Exchequer would not increase the proposed additional 3d. per gallon tax on fuel. The council will also have regard to the heavy increase in cost that would be caused to the taxicab and hire-car operator. DELAY IN RAISING FARES CAUSES ALARM INCREASING concern is being shown by members of the Passenger-Vehicle Operators' Association at the delay in dealing with applications by the Regional Fares Committee for higher fares on express services. The Association is continuing to press for a decision, which, unless given soon, will be of little value during the current year.
h e North-Western and South Wales Traffic Commissioners have already granted increases of 25 per cent, over pre-war excursion and tour fares, in place of the increase of the 16§, per cent. already authorized. In South Wales, fares for excursions and tours are calculated on the basis of 2s. 3d. per mile for the first 50 miles, 2s. per mile for the second 50 miles, and ls. 9d. per mile for all miles over 100. The gross figure is divided by 30 to arrive at the individual fare.
LICENCES TO BE EXTENDED?
THE Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association has asked the Minister of TranTort to issue a further amending Order automatically renewing existing defence permits or licences, where these have not been renewed by the Commissioners. At present, existing permits and licences will expire on July 31 next, unless the Road Vehicles and Drivers Order is renewed. The Association considers that the Traffic Commissioners wilt not be able to renew all permits or licences by then.
SUMMER SERVICES IMPROVED
THE new summer services time-table of Associated Motorways, of Cheltenham, contains details of a number of additional facilities to be introduced on May 19. All services which the organization was licensed to operate before the war are being resumed, but, because of the shortage of vehicles, it has not been possible to restore pre war frequency on certain routes.