OPINIONS and QUERIES
Page 65
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The Royal Commission on Transport.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2865] Sir,—We consider the Commission's Report in the main to be very satisfactory and one which, if adopted, would provide legislation that is long overdue.
In our opinion, with the refinements now embodied on higher-speed commercial vehicle S up to 31-tons chassis weight, fitted with Pneumatic tyres and equipped as they are in many cases with efficient front-wheel brakes, the speed limit could be safely raised to 35 m.p.h.
With regard to the question of terminal stations for long-distance coaches we think that this is being settled very effectively as some very fine stations are actually erected and in use and other projects are afoot to cope with the situation. Owing to the phenomenal growth of this class of traffic we consider that the coaching fraternity has the problem well in hand. It would be a great injustice if drastic action were taken before the projected schemes were allowed to fructify.
One small point we notice with regard to the difilcUlty of dazzling headlamps is that it is suggested that dipping apparatus should be fitted to the headlamps. We are of the opinion that the provision of a dimming device is much more effective. Of course, we notice that the Minister of Transport will pass these devices at his discretion. The suggested code of customs has been well thought out and is worthy of wide publicity. • The Commission has made a real step forward in its suggestions towards ideal motoring, and we have very little fault to find with the Report, which should help forward our thriving industry.—Yours faithfully, V. 0. SKINNER, Director, • Gilford Motor Co., Ltd.
Licensing a Dual-purpose Vehicle.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2866] Sir,—We are contemplating buying a Morris 25-cwt. lorry and using it for general carrying, and we would, therefore, be much obliged if you would forward to us your Tables of Operating Costs, etc., also the amount to be charged for hire by hour and mileage. Will you also answer the following:— : 1. Could the vehicle be used for private use?
2. Can we carry passengers and charge for them,as in taking a football team, etc.?
3. Does the usual hauliers' insurance policy cover towing another vehicle?
Although only a reader of your valuable journal for the past foup weeks I am finding it of great benefit to me, especially the articles dealing with haulage, etc,-Yours faithfully, F. LEE, Manchester. for W. and F. Lee.
[You are at liberty to use your vehicle for general carrying or for privateuse, as you please. There is no legal restriction; You may use it for general carrying one day and for private purposes the next, or even for both on the same day.
I take it that by private purposes you mean the carriage of your own goods.
The queStion as to whether you may use it for passenger carrying at all, whether for fares or otherwise, turns on the amount of licence which you have paid. A 25-cwt. lorry used for goods purposes only must be licensed accordingly and pay a tax of £20 per annum. If it be used for carrying passengers priVately as though it were a touring car, the ' tax would depend upon the horse-power. If that tax be less than £20, that is to say, if the horse-power be less than 20, then you may carry a passenger, but not for payment.
If you wish to use the vehicle to carry passengers as suggested in your second inquiry, you are in order so long as you do not at any time carry more than eight people and so long as the peonle carried form a private party and you are not plying for hire. If you carry more than eight people but not more than fourteen, you should pay a tax of £24 , and if you carry more than fourteen and not more than twenty, a tax of £36; if more than twenty, people, then £48. If you use the machine for two purposes you must pay the higher tax.
• There is no such thing as a ." usual hauliers' • policy and you must refer the matter to your insurance company and make sure that you are covered in the event of your towing another vehicle. '
Carrying Sugar at a Loss.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2867] Sir,—I have started in the haulage business with a new 6-ton A.E.C. on pneumatics. I am 22 years of age and this is my first venture, so I do not want to make any mistakes. The work I am on is hauling sugar from Kidderminster to Birmingham and district, returning home at night. My income for last week was 128 and I travelled 662 miles. I have to run empty to Kidderminster after each load, and about 14 loads per week is the average. I should be greatly obliged if you could give me advice on this matter. Please also send me a copy of your Tables of Running and Operating Costs.—Yours faithfully, Cheshire. H.B.E.
[The price you quote in your inquiry is a long way short of the sum necessary to recoup you for your bare operating costs. In order to demonstrates this to you and to give you some figures to show to your prospectiye customers, I have gone into the matter at some length.
Taking a round figure of 700 miles per week, then your actual running costs will be made up as fol
. low :—Petrol, 7 miles per, gallon at 1s. 3d, per gallon, 2.15d.; oil, 400 miles per gallon at Sc. per gallon, 4.15d.; tyres, 2.15d.; maintenance, 1.90d.; depreciation, 1.75d.; total, 8.10d. per mile running costs only. That for 700 miles per week is £23 12s. 6d.
Your standing charges, that is to say, licences, your own wages (no allowance for wages of your mate), garage rent, insurance and interest on first cost, amount to 16 12s. per week, so that your total is £30 4s. 0d. with no allowance for profit and nothing for overheads.
In Table II of our Tables of Operating Costs, under the heading " six-ton " and near the bottom of the page, you will find a figure for the minimum charge per week which you should make when running 700 miles per week. It is £35 18s. The corresponding figure for a pneumatic-tyred vehicle would not differ appreciably from this.—S.T.R.]