Operating Aspects of Passenger Transport
Page 39
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BIG RELAXATION IN BUS WEIGHTS
D EPRESENTATIONS have been J. N. made to the Minister of Transport by the Public Service Transport Association, asking that the present maximum laden weights of buses and trolleybuses should be waived. The reason is that the use of light metals is now restricted. Consequently, it is necessary to use heavier materials, which would, with the present limits, often necessitate reductions in seating capacity.
The Minister has acceded to the request, and proposes to amend Regulation 6 of the Public Service Vehicles (Conditions of Fitness) Regulations, 1939, to permit, in the case of vehicles registered for the first time on and after November 1, 1939, an additional 10 cwt. in respect of both the maximum permissible laden weight and the maximum axle weight.
Concessions to trolleybuses will be considered where necessary, and individual cases should be submitted to the Minister for consideration.
BLACKBURN WORKERS WANT MORE LIGHT AND TIME
DRIVERS are suffering from severe L./strain through the inadequate lighting of public-service vehicles during the black-out; at least three have been involved in fatal, accidents recently; conductors are likewise complaining of severe eye strain and headaches, and are having to make good the loss caused by accepting base coins.
These were the arguments introduced at a midnight mass meeting, on Monday, at Blackburn. It was called by the transport emfloyees of Blackburn Corporation and those of Ribble Motor Services, Ltd. The men asked for improved interior and exterior lighting by November 25, and for an addition of 20 per cent, to be made to the scheduled times fixed for buses during black-out periods, the last journey to be not later than 10 p.m.
8,000 S.M.T. WORKERS SEEK INCREASE IN WAGES
EIGHT THOUSAND employees of the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., and its allied companies are to seek an increase in wages to meet the higher cost of living, and in view of the strain of working under black-out conditions.
This decision was reached at a delegate meeting of the Transport and General Workers' Union, in Edinburgh, on November 10, when it was decided to open negotiations immediately with the S.M.T. management, in order to come to a new arrangement which will replace the existing agreement when it expires in February. Mr. H. Clay, national secretary of, the passenger section of the Union. stated that the application was in line with the decision of the National Committee of the section to approach all employers throughout Great Britain on behalf of members engaged in the industry. The meeting also called for a mortification of lighting restrictions, both external and internal, on buses and tramcars.
Mr. Clay stated that the National Executive of the Union had already taken steps in the matter, and had met representatives of the Ministries of Transport, Home Security and Labour. The Union recognized the need for national safety, but maintained that the present lighting restrictions could he cased without prejudice to the welfare of the people.
Experiments, with which the Union was actively associated, were being made to improve the present standard of lighting.
WAR UPSETS DARWEN'S PLANS
THE war has upset Darwen's scheme to change over completely to buses by April next. The shortage of petrol has also caused the return of tramcars in the Bolton Road district.
Nevertheless, the corporation has planned for the future. Ten Leyland double-deckers are to be purchased.
NEW PLAN AVOIDS LOSS OF SUNDAY BUSES
THE recent announcement of the withdrawal of buses in Southport on Sundays has been modified. Whilst the corporation services will be taken off, as stated previously, the transport committee has been empowered to enter into an arrangement with Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., for picking up and setting down passengers under a " limited " scheme that provides for a 3d. minimum fare.
PRIORITY FOR LONG-DISTANCE PASSENGERS
IN an effort to ensure seats for longdistance bus passengers, and reduce the competition for accommodation from short-journey travellers, Manchester's municipal transport manager (Mr. R. Stuart Pilcher) has introduced an innovation, A minimum fare of 5d. is to he charged to travellers entering vehicles at city-centre bus stations, between 4.30 p.m. and 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, and from noon to 1.30, p.m. on Saturday. Ordinary fares will operate at and from every other stop.
Routes affected are to Gatley (Cheshire), New Hey, Bamford, Hyde, Greenfield (via Oldham), Uppermill (also via Oldham), Romiley (Cheshire) and Oldham. The full fare from the city to the journey's end, even with a cheap return ticket, is more than 5d.
BUS BLACK-OUT CONCESSION SOUGHT
APLEA for some relaxation of the black-out regulations, so far as they concern restrictions on the lighting of public-service vehicles, particularly with a view to easing the strain on drivers, has been put before the Ministry of Transport by a joint deputation representative of interested organizations. At the time of writing, no decision on the representations made had been announced. As the Home Office is primarily responsible for the black-out regulations, any decision will, presumably, follow consultations between the Ministry of Transport and that Department.
The organizations represented on the deputation included the Municipal Passenger Transport Association, the Public Service Vehicles Association and the Joint Industrial Council for the passenger road transport.
LATE SERVICES FOR PLEASURE SEEKERS
THE new Home Office Order giving permission, subject to the consent of local police authorities, for provincial cinemas and theatres to remain open until 11 p.m., instead of 10 p.m., has raised a passenger-transport issue. This is as to whether local passengertransport authorities, the reduced services of which have-been, more or less, convenient for theatregoers and cinema patrons wishing to return home aboo 10 p.m., should now run later services for their benefit.
In Bradford, Huddersfield and Halifax, theatres and cinemas are continuing to close at the old times, in the absence of later transport facilities. In a statement on the Bradford position, Mr. C. R. Tattam, general manager of the city's passenger-transport department, said that, in view of the strain which existing black-out conditions imposed on drivers, he would resist, so long as possible, any introduction of later buses, unless black-out regulations be amended to allow considerably more lighting on the buses.
MIDLAND BUSMEN REFUSE TO WORK LATER
COMPLAINTS about the suggested ...extension of hours for bus services, to fetch people from cinemas and theatres, have come from a large garage of Birmingham Corporation and from the largest headquarters of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., in Birmingham.
The municipal workers have resolved, under no consideration, to agree to any extension, whilst the "Midland Red " employees are asking, through their union, for a modification of spreadover duties, a guaranteed eight-hour day, a " cost-of-living " allowance and an increase in pay.
The " Midland Red " drivers and conductors say that their petrol supply in Birmingham is ample, but that it Must not be used for people's pleasure trips.