New Rules on Standing Passengers
Page 49
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DOWER to sanction the use of crush' loaders has been given to Licensing Authorities by the Public Service Vehicles and Trolley. Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations, 1954, which came into operation on December 7. With normal-type vehicles, the number' of standing passengers who may be carried must not exceed a third of the seating capacity (of the lower deck only in the case of double-deckers) or eight, whichever is less. [This rule 'is permissive. On services operated by the London Transport Executive, the maximum number is fixed by agreement with the trades unions and at present is five.] A stage carriage of the crush-lead type, however, may carry as many standing passengers as it has been built and certified to carry. [The provision does not apply to express or contract carriages.] The operator can appeal to the Minister of Transport against the refusal of a certificate to carry a certain number of standing passengers, or against the number specified. He can also appeal against variation, suspension or revocation of a certificate. Standing passengers May not be carried on half-deckers; on the upper deck of a double-decker; if there is a vacant seat; or if there is no conductor, although the Authority can grant a dispensation to allow standing in a vehicle not required to have a conductor under other statutory provision. In the case of express coaches, the carrying of standing passengers may be authorized by an Authority, who may vary, suspend, or revoke the authorization at any time. Until now this authorization for standing passengers has not been required. In reckoning seating capacity, three children under 15 may count as two adults. This rule holds when a vehicle carries children only, or ehildren with up to six necessary attendants. All vehicles must be marked with the seating capacity (of respective decks in the case of a double-decker) and crushloaders with the seating and standing capacities. Broadly, the regulations continue. with minor variations, the existing position. The need for making them arose from the revocation of Defence Regulation powers under which the previous rules were made. Procedure involved in making trolleybus fare applications to Authorities is described in the Transport Charges (Tramways and Trolley Vehicles) Regulations, 1954. Both these sets of Regulations are published by the Stationery Office at
3d. each. .
The Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness) (Amendment) Regulations, 1955, which slightly amend the 1941 Regulations in regard to the marking of capacity on vehicles, are avail
able at 2d. '