Southend System Still Profitable
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nESPITE many difficulties in operat
ing old vehicles, particularly trolleybuses which have already run for 15-16 years and with individual mileages up to 500,000, Southend-on-Sea Corporation Transport is making surprisingly good progress. It is in the happy position of earning a reasonable profit—in fact, for the past two years it has been contributing to the rates, and following this financial year, which ends in March next, it is hoped to provide substantial rate relief.
Previously the system had for many years been something of a burden to the corporation. The general manager and engineer, Mr. W. Baxendal e, A.M.Inst.T., A.I.T.A., and his staff must feel proud of this achievement.
The transport department is receiving a sprinkling of new vehicles. but the provision of bodies is the main difficulty. However, the increased allocation should help. Spares are in a slightly better position, although still rather scarce, and the situation concerning skilled labour is a little easier.
The vehicles are largely of A.E.C. manufacture, and appreciation has been expressed by the department of the good service that the maker of these has afforded it during the war and since.
Fortunately the system suffered little during the war, despite the fairly heavy bombing of the town, the damage being almost confined to the overhead equipment for the trolleybuses.
One of the difficulties is that the tram depots have had to be used for the buses since the trams were displaced in 1942. Schemes had been prepared for new offices and garages, but restrictions on building have forced these to be delayed, and some of the vehicles have to be parked in the open, although wherever possible they are situated near high walls to protect them against the wind.
No anti-freeze is employed, but electric immersion heaters are used in the radiators, and this has proved a satisfactory arrangement. The parking time is, of course, not for long periods, because practically all the buses run for 16 hours a day, drivers operating in two shifts with a minimum of spread-over duties.