, LATEST NEWS FROM THE TRAFFIC AREAS
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ANOTHER RULE NISI AGAINST M. OF T. UPMINSTER SERVICES.
ON Monday last, a King's Bench
Divisional Court granted a rule nisi against the Minister of Transport to show cause why an Order revoking the licences of Upminster Services, Ltd., should not be quashed.
For the company, it was submitted that the Minister had failed to perform his public duty, to exercise his powers judicially, and had admitted and acted upon irrelevant matter. It was pointed out that Upminster Services, Ltd., was Incorporated in June last year, and had acquired the assets and goodwill of two other companies and an indivdual, running an Aldgate-Uriminster service. The company was granted a licence, subject to a minimum fare of is. being charged and subject to a condition regarding the picking up and setting down of passengers.
At the hearing of an appeal against these two conditions, it was stated, evidence of alleged breaches of the licence -conditions by tile company's predeeessors was admitted; but no evidence was given as to the way in which the Upminster concern bad been working. A further sequel to the Minister's decision has been the formation, in the Eastern Area, of the Road Travellers Protection Society. It has asked the Minister to receive a deputation in connection with the ruling.
STOKE'S FARES APPEAL OVERRULED, EXCEPT IN TWO CASES.
STOKE Corporation's appeal against
the action of the West Midland Traffic Commissioners in allowing the abolition of cheap coupon fares has been B40 ruled out of order by the Minister of Transport, except in connection with two specific routes.
As announced in our issue dated February 3, the Commissioners agreed to postpone, from February 15 until April 2, the increased fares, but the effect of the Minister's decision is that the higher rates will come into force at the latter date, except on the two routes mentioned.
The reason for the appeal being overruled is that the municipality did not object to the renewal of the licences in June last, except in connection with the two specific routes, with regard to which an inquiry is to be held to decide whether or not fares should be raised.
SMALL MAN'S LICENCE REVOKED.
THE South-Eastern Traffic Commis sioners have revoked the licence of Mr. D. Stevens, an owner-driver, of Walton-on-Thames, for the Hersham Green-Walton route, on the ground of irregular operation. RADIO OFFERED AS STANDARD PROPOSITION FOR COACHES.
FROM February 14 to 21 a display of
over a dozen new coaches and buses is being staged at the works of Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., The Hyde, Edgware Road, London, N.W.9, where various types of bodywork are on view.
Three A.E.O. Regal 26-seaters, with lavatory accommodation, forming part of an order for five such vehicleh for Fingland's Bookings and Coach Stations, Ltd., Manchester, are included, these being equipped with Spartan wireless-reception apparatus.
The Spartan radio set, for which the main distributor for this country is, we are informed, the Fingland concern, is produced by a Canadian company specially for fitting to motor vehicles. Duple Bodies and Motors, Ltd., acting as the sole distributor, so far as coaches are concerned, for the London district, quotes a retail price of £50 for the set complete and fitted to a vehicle.
It is thought that this is the first occasion on which a bodybuilder in this country has offered radio as a standard proposition.
CROSVILLE AND WESTERN TRANSPORT MERGER.
IT is understood that negotiations are proceeding between Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., and the Western TranSport Co., Ltd., for the merging of the two undertakings. The former concern is controlled jointly by the L.M.S. Railway Co., and the Tilling-B.A.T. group, whilst the G.W.R. Co. and TillingB.A.T. have an interest in the Western Transport organization, RED AND WHITE STARTS AIR SERVICE.
AN air service from Cardiff to Bristol has been inaugurated by Red and White Services, Ltd., Chepstow, in conjunction with Norman Edgar, Ltd.,
Bristol. Fox Moth 130 h.p. threeseater cabin aeroplanes, capable of maintaining a cruising speed of about 90 m.p.h., are employed and the service runs twice daily. The single fare is 12s. 6d. and the return rate 22s. ed.
Bookings may be made at the Red anti White office, Wood Street, Cardiff, or from any Red and White depot or agency in South Wales and Monmouthshire. Vehicles carry passengers from Wood Street to Cardiff airport at a charge of is. single and is, (Id. return, a similar arrangement being made at the Bristol end of the journey.
Air taxis may be chartered at a charge of 4d. per passenger-mile, or Sd. per machine-mile. At present, only a skeleton service is being maintained, but during the summer season it will be considerably augmented and 10-seater aeroplanes will be employed.
MIDDLESBROUGH TO CONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS WITH U.A.S. M.IDDL'FISBROUGH Town Council has decided to appoint a subcommittee to continue negotiations with United Automobile Services, Ltd., for the amalgamation of the corporation's transport undertaking with that of the U.A.S. It is stated that the municipal trams and buses would be faced with a £24,000 deficit this yenr.
MANCHESTER RAISES FARES. MAN017ESTER Corporation has received sanction from the North 'Western Traffic Commissioners to revise bus fares on eight converted tramway routes, by reducing the length of penny stages from 1 mile 1,010 yds. to 1 mile 635 yds.
MORE TRAMS TO GO. THE Parliamentary committee of Swansea Corporation has agreed to the propesals of the Swansea Improvements and Tramways Co., relative to facilities to be provided in place of the existing tram syStem at Ynysforgan, and with regard to the fares.
BID FOR "PERIOD RETURNS" ON EXCURSIONS.
THE North-Western Traffic Commis sioners were asked last Friday by Mr. H. Robinson, secretary of the local branch of the Commercial Motor Users Association, to allow period bookings to be made on excursions and tours.
It was explained that, in 1930, single, day-return and period-return fares were charged, but, in 1931, the single rates were cancelled, causing, it is said, serious losses to operators. In 1932, the Commissioners directed that if period bookings were required, applications would have to be made for express service licences. Mr. Robinson held that there was a demand for "period."
On behalf of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co., it was held that period bookings should be the exclusive privilege of the scheduled operator. A request was also made that the railway company should be allowed to verify certain figures given by a witness, who agreed to this proposal, but several operators demurred.
Referring to the attitude of the rail
ways towards their associated bus companies, the L.M.S. solicitor stated that the railways had joined forces with road concerns, because they recognized that competition must continue and they wished to make the best of the situation.
Mr. Robinson said that no attempt had been made to reduce fares by way of period rates. The Commissioners reserved their decision.
LONDON TERMINAL TRANSFER ON MONDAY.
ON Monday next, the General Travel Agency (London), Ltd., will take over the station facilities of Coach Travels, Ltd., including the existing London Terminal Coach Station booking organization and sub-agents. News of the acquisition was published in our issue dated January 27.
The calling charges for coaches will be 6d. per visit, including the pickingup and setting-down of passengers, if the period does not exceed an hour. Garage charges will be 3s. per night, or is. 6d. per day.
PROPOSED NEW BUS BOARD.
IN connection with the proposed formation of a bus board in South Wales, Gellygaer Urban District Council has explained its ideas to Cardiff Corporation. These are, briefly, that if the road-transport system of the two counties concerned was operated by one authority, unnecessary competition and overlapping would be eliminated. CARDIFF CHIEF CONSTABLE'S ALLEGATIONS.
SOMEWHAT surprising observations on the methods of bus companies are contained in the 1932 report of the Chief Constable of Cardiff.
After pointing out the need at Cardiff for a central bus-station, and stating the progress with the efforts to establish such premises just outside G.W.R. Central Station, the report refers to bus owners' applications to the Commissioners for termini in the city centre.
It is stated that "participation in tine central bus-station scheme would mean that the operators would have to pay for the privilege of using the bus centre provided by the local authorities. That is an equitable proposition. Tha operatoes' sole aim seems to be merely that of carrying passengers at the minimum expense and maximum profit, and loading them and discharging them at points of vantage, but with complete disregard for the rights of pedestrians and other road users and the views of the body responsible for the safety of all road users and pedestrians."' SOUTHERN COMMISSIONERS TO MEET OPERATORS.
THE chairman of the Southern Traffic Commissioners, Sir Reginald Ford, stated last week that a special meeting with operators, to discuss matters of general interest, had been arranged for March 3, possibly at Salisbury. It is understood that contract work will be amongst the subjects considered.
S.M.T. AIR SERVICE TO IRELAND. WE understand that the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., is making arrangements for the inauguration of a regular daily service from Glasgow to Belfast. It is .stated that two aircraft will at first be operated, one being a 12-seater and the other a four-seater, which will complete the actual journey in about an hour.
An air service between Scotland and London may also be inaugurated. The company ha a received permission to -build airports at Berwick and Morpeth, in Northumberland.
MORE WIRELESS BUSES. ANOTHER bus organization has equipped its vehicles with wireless-receiving sets; in this case, the Thorpe Healey-Sheffield route is concerned. Fingland's Bookings and Coach Stations, Ltd., has already provided such apparatus on many of its coaches and hire cars.
12-JOURNEY TICRWTS ANT) LOW RETURNS.
THE Northern Traffic Commissioners, sitting at Newcastle, heard several applications respecting the Commissioners' schedule of increased fares.
For United Automobile Services, Ltd., it was said that there was a considerable number 174 fares in Newcastle which gave a yield of 0.6d. per passenger-mile, although some were below that figure. Some 12-journey tickets yielded only ,35d. per passenger-mile. The Commissioners were asked to refuse the issue of 12-journey tickets which did not yield Id. a mile.
The Commissioners declined to consider the suggestion and said that they were prepared to permit an increase of only 71per cent. on 12-journey fares.
TOWARDS MONOPOLY IN SCOTLAND.
THE amazing progress of the Scottish
Motor Traction Co., Ltd., was shown, at the annual general meeting, by Mr. W. J. Thomson, J.P., M.I.A.E., Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the chairman of
the company. The following undertakings were purchased during the year under review: 9Hudson, Carlisle; Lomond Brothers, Winchburg ; J. L. Dunn and W. (word, Dalkelth; T. L. Dunn and H. Duran, Dalkeith; W. Rendull and Co., Hrox.burn,• T. Anderson, Winchburg; and W. Gardner, Leitholm.
Since the closing t}f the accounts, the S.M.T. purchased Azure Blue Bus Services and part of the undertaking of County Motor Service, Ltd. the latter acquisition having been made in conjunction with United Automobile Services, Ltd. During the year, W. Alexander and Sons, Ltd., Falkirk, a
subsidiary of the S.M.T. concern, purchased the following organizations :—
Comrie Brothers, Kirkcaldy; F. Brown, windygates; G. Cruickshanks and Sons, Pyrie; 5. Tillicoultry; D. N. Miller, Dunfermline; A. Ferguson, Alva; F. Bertelici, Alioa; A. F. Gordon, l3o'ness; Oban Services (belonging to the L.M.S. Railway ell.): G. Stirrat, Garionsh; D. . A. Dadie, Markincli; Watt and Smith, Lossiemouth; Dundee and Monifieth services of Dundee Corporation; Bydand Motor Transport Co., Ltd., Aberdeen; and Aberdeen suburban Transport Co., Ltd,
An article in last week's issue gave details of the concerns, operating in Ayrshire, that the S.M.T. merged into two new organizations.
OMNIBUS SOCIETY EVENTS.
THE following is the programme of the Omnibus Society, the hon, secretary of which is Mr. C. F. Mapper, 4, Wellington Road, London, E.3
March 2, a paper on "Public Preferences in Passenger Travel," by Mr. H. Watson. March 7, dance. March 11, Mr. H. G. Chambers will lead an excursion to inspect the working of L.G.O.C. buses at Blackwell runnel, and will view Dartford as a bus ftentre. March 12, visit to the Lincolnfliire Road Car Co., Ltd.
A COACH CO. COVERING 50,000 MILES.
THE system of the Greyhound Co., of
America, was described at a meeting sf the Leeds branch of the Institute sf Transport, recently, by Mr. A. Harrison, deputizing for Mr. V. Volmar, B42 the European representative for the Greyhound concern.
The undertaking, which owns 200 garages, covers 50,000 miles of road, extending from New York to the Pacific coast. The vehicles employed are designed on advanced lines and are, as
se a rule, not kept in operation for more than 10 hours at a time, passengers then being transferred to another coach. The company's vehicles covpr 125,000,000 miles a year and corky 25,000,000 passengers, whilst 12,000 persons are employed. The railways hold a 10-per cent. interest.
OXFORD'S SPECIAL RULES.
OXFORD Watch Committee recom mends that certain clauses be added to the traffic requirements in respect of express carriages on routes to and from Gloucester Green car park. Included are provisions to the effect that excur
sion or touring coaches from outside the city must use the routes specified for express carriages. Deviation will be permitted, in certain cases, by arrangement with the chief constable. Excursion or touring coaches working from the city must pick up and set down passengers only at specified places.
MANCHESTER'S PROFIT.
IT is estimated that during the current
year, Manchester Corporation's transport department will show a profit of 1E62,130.
" MIDLAND-RED " FARES UP. TEE West Midland Traffia Commis sioners have permitted the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., to raise fares on five routes in the Kidderminster and Stourport areas.
TAXI OWNERS' NEW SCHEME.
NTOTTINGHAM taxicab owners have sse arraneed to operate services from
dance halls, charging is. per head for a party of five or more people. The scheme is in opposition to Nottingham Corporation's special bus services.
COLLECTIVE LICENCE APPLICATIONS OVERRULED.
THE Great Yarmouth Coach Owners and Motor Hirers Association applied, last week, to the Eastern Traffic Commissioners for licences to continue groups of 39 excursions and tours to be operated by 16 members of the association.
Sir Ilaviland Riley, chairman of the Commissioners, said that the association was asking for carte blanche. for every operator, but the scheme was ebsalutely unworkable. Every member would have to make his own applications. It appears that, last year, most of the operators ran only seven or eight excursions.
TWO FARES CONFERENCES.
AT the Town Hall, Leeds, at 10 a.m. on February 24, the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners will consider the recommendations submitted by the Yorkshire Regional Fares Committee with regard to fares for excursions and tours. The areas covered were mentioned in last week's issue.
On the same day, the Northern Traffic
CENTRALIZING U.A.S. SERVICES. AS a further step towards centraliza tion United Automobile Services, Ltd., is shortly to invite tenders for the erection of new offices, at an estimated cost of £10,000, adjoining the new garage and workshops now under construction at Geneva Road, Darlington.
The completion of the new buildings, it is stated, will provide the company with a new headquarters, responsible for the organization and maintenance of the company's fleet.
CROSSLEY 01L-ENGINED BUS FOR CARDIFF. CARDIFF Corporation is to run an trial a Crossley oil-engined doubledeck bus. The company is to be responsible for licence fees, whilst the corporation ie to pay 3d. per service-mile run and is to meet all running expenses and insurance. The price of the vehicle has been provisionally fixed at £1,500. INCREASED FARES ON PAYING ROUTE REFUSED,
A SURPRISING situation arose when
the Northern Traffic Commissioners were considering applications by the Northern General Transport Go., Ltd., for increases of fares to meet the increased cost of petrol. In connection with these applications, the Commissioners have asked for returns, showing receipts in pence per mile and working costs.
The chairman pointed out, in one application by the Northern General Company, that it could not be agreed to, because the route showed a profit. Mr. W. C. Percival, secretary of the Northern Road Transport Owners Association, Ltd., raised a question on general principle. He pointed out the possibility of two operators, A and B, working similar services. A, thiough good organization, making his route pay, but B, owing to lack of organization, showing a loss. A would thus be penalized, because of his good organization. The Commissioners will give their decision later.
TROLLEY-BUSES FOR GLASGOW.
GLASGOW Corporation is recommended to include in its next Parliamentary Bill provision for the introduction of trolley-buses.
FOG LAMPS TO BE SPECIFIED.
AS the fog lamps fitted to Barrow-in Furness Corporation's Crossley double-deck buses proved so useful recently, this type of lamp is to be included as standard equipment on all new purchases. REFUELLING LADEN COACHES: INQUIRY FOLLOWS REFUSAL.
A COMPANY desired to refuel laden
coaches at a small station, and the London County Council decided to attach to the licence for the storage of petroleum spirit a special condition requiring that arrangements should be made to prevent the publicfrom approaching within 20 ft. of any point at which the petrol was stored or manipulated.
At an inquiry held as a result of the company appealing against this decision, it was stated that the licensee was prepared to adopt additional precautions if it was permitted to petrol coaches at the premises. Finally, the special condition was deleted and the oompany was allowed to adopt the special measures suggested.