BAN ON U.S.-TYPE BUSES: RUSH FOR DOUBLE-DECKERS
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DISAPPOINTMENT was expressed about the Ministry of Transport's refusal to permit longer buses, similar to the American type, by Mr. W. Vane IVIorland, general manager of Leeds Corporation's passenger transport department, at the annual dinner of the Yorkshire section of the Institute of Transport.
' Many people feel that we have been tots long at the mercy of the doubledeck machine. Up to a month ago I was hoping that we would be allowed to introduce a single-deck under-engine type, seating 44 passengers, with standing accommodation for 16. This type makes for speed of loading and unloading, as well as giving a lower centre of gravity," he said.
Unfortunately, the Minister had not granted such a request. Consequently. Mr. Morland continued, there was now an "undignified scramble" for doubledeck buses, manufacturers of which were talking about delivery in 1948 and even 1949. When these new vehicles did arrive, however, they would show an improvement on the present types.
As to the future of transport generally in this country, he thought that traffic prospects would continue to be good and revenue would continue 40 go up. The Institute was progressing well, membership having increased by 500 during the past year.
Both Mr. Vane Morland and Dr. G. H. Austin, principal of Leeds College of Commerce, thought that nationalization would not affect the work of the Institute.
. CASH OR CREDIT?
COMMENTING on the transport 1.—,committee's decision to co-operate with the British Omnibus Companies' Public Relations Committee to oppose nationalization, Counc. H. W. Barber said at a meeting of Southport Town Council, last week, that the corporation had built up a reserve fund of £115,000, sufficient to renew the whole of its fleet of buses. Under the Transport Bill, it would have been better if the munici
pality had created a Joan for the purchase of buses, instead of paying for them out of profits. !
ERISTOL RETURNING TO NORMAL
DURING 1946 the Brisiol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., made great progress in bringing Bristol's road passenger transport back to normal. Despite handicaps, the company., has augmented and improved its services, and the 1946 mileage shows an increase of 4,220,000 per annum over the total figure of 30,405,000 for the previous year. On Bristol city services atone the • increased mileage for 1946 over-1945 is 24196,000. • • •
Large numbers of new vehicles are on order, but, of the 1946 programme, 5 double-deck and 32 single-deck buses are still to be delivered. For 1947 there are 163 double-deckers and 22 single-deckers on order. but it is unlikely that more than half will be delivered before the beginning of next year.
'There has been a great increase in industrial and short-distance traffic. In the 12 months ended November, 1939, a total of 139,000,000 passengers was carried on the Bristol city services. The figure has increased by 18 per cent. to 164,000,000.
GLASGOW MIGHT LOSE £10,000,000
APROPOSAL that realizable assets of Glasgow Coropration's transport department should be sold immediately and the proceeds put to the credit of the Common Good Fund, is to be made to the general finance committee. Councillor V. Warren, chairman of the Progressive Party in the corporation. has given notice of his intention to submit a motion on these lines.
The purpose is to counter the terms of the Transport Bill, which proposes that the State should acquire municipal undertakings without compensation other than that of taking over loan debts. The transport department is free from debt, but ranks as a Common Good asset to the value of E10,000,000.
SICK-PAY NEGOTIATIONS FAIL: FIVE-DAY WEEK STARTED•MEGOTIATIONS for the introduc-:
liltion of a sick-pay scheme for the transport employees of Glasgow Corporation have broken down, according to a -statement made on January 6 by Mr. Arthur Gee, local secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union. The executive committee of the Union has sent a 'report on the position and will decide what action should now be taken on behalf of the employees. The main point on which the corporation and the employees' representatives 'differ, it is understood, is that of making the scheme retrospective.. The Union officials wish the scheme to he backdated to June, 1946, whilst the corporation contends that it should operate from the start of this year.
The bus-maintenance men have reached an agreemcht with the transpOrt department on the operation of a liveday week, which tame into 'effeet on January 12. Employees who iwork 'on Saturday and Sunday will get two days off during the following week.
Maintenance men employed at five city garages are affected by the settlement. The men threatened to absent themselves from duty on Saturday mornings.
"NO COMPENSATION FOR CORPORATIONS"
EASTBOURNE Town Council is eon1-LAcerned as to the future of its transport department when nationalization takes place. The matter was raised at the January meeting. when Aid. S. M. Caffyn. quoting a passage from a speech by the Minister of Transport, said that it was clear that the Government intended to take over local authorities* transport undertakings without any compensation
"That is confiscation, and nothing else." declared Aid. Caffyn.
It was decided to ask the Association of Municipal Corporations to 'protest strongly against the proposed terms of acquisition of local authority transport undertakings. The council is also to co-operate with the British Omnibus Companies Public Relations Committee in its opposition to the Bill.
GLASGOW TROLLEYBUS PLANS
A LTHOUGH. Glasgow Corporation rkhas not yet started its first experimental trolleybus service, the transport committee is already looking ahead and planning future development. About nine months ago the corporation decided to experiment with trolleybuses on the route between Provanmill and Polmadie. Negotiations for the building of the vehicles and provision of a sub-station and overhead equipment are still in progress.
it is now proposed to provide trelleybus services along various roads in King's Park area and in Rutherglen, where Glasgow Corporation provides the local transport services.
Other routes in the north and northwest of the city have been agreed upon. in principle. The committee is to recommend the corporation to include in the next Provisional Order powers to operate trolleybuses over these routes.