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PASSENGER TRANSPORT
THE LATEST NEWS OF IMPORTANT EVENTS
"EASTERN NATIONAL" TO TAKE OVER HILLMAN COACHES?
AN official of Edward Hillman's Saloon Coaches, Ltd., Romford, this week informed The Commercial Motor that Mr. Edward Hillnian proposes to leave the coaching business and to devote his energies solely to commercial aviation, of which he was, of course, a pioneer in this country.
Part of his business has been transferred to the London Passenger Transport Board, whilst the Eastern National Omnibus Co., Ltd., Chelmsford, proposes to take over the remainder. The latter company has applied to the Eastern and Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner's for the transfer of the Hillman company's licences for stage services from Bow to Chelmsford. If this application be granted the " Eastern National" will, with the consent of the Commissioners, incorporate its service from Chelmsford to Brentwood in the Bow-Chelmsford service, and discontinue intermediate fares between Bow and Brentwood. The Eastern National concern is seeking permission to continue Hillman's express service from Bow to Clacton, with certain modifications. It also makes application, on behalf of Edward Hillman's Saloon Coaches, Ltd., to discontinue services from London to Ipswich, Norwich and Yarmouth.
NEARLY 1,000 MEMBERS OF YORKSHIRE ASSOCIATION.
THE fact that the vehicle membership of the Yorkshire Stage Carriage Operators Association is nearing the 1,000 mark w.s mentioned by Mr. Herbert Burrows, president of the Association, when speaking at a social evening, held under the auspices of the York branch, at York last Saturday. Mr. Burrows recalled that the Association was formed by a handful of passenger-transport operators, but it had grown rapidly, and still more so when it was extended to include hauliers.
TILLING'S ALLEGED TO HAVE INFRINGED MILEAGE PACT,.
DURING the continued hearing of the claim of Thomas Tilling, Ltd., against the London Passenger Transport Board, Mr. Frank Pick, vice-chairman of the Board, said that the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., had not strictly enforced an agreement of 1929, concerning the mileage to be operated by Tilling buses. It was alleged that 'the vehicles of the latter concern exceeded this mileage and Mr. Pick said that often the L.G.O.C. had given way
E42 to Tilling's in connection with the schedules. The Board objected to Tilling's capitalizing the excess mileage for all time.
When the hearing was resumed on Monday last, Mr. Pick gave evidence concerning financial aspects of the formation of the Board. He stated that Thos. Tilling, Ltd., earned a profit of £44,006 a year from the excess mileage. The hearing was continued on Tuesday, then adjourned until yesterday.
" SINGLES " AND "PERIODS ": MORE APPEALS FAIL.
THE Minister of Transport has dismissed the appeals of Blue Belle Motors, Ltd., against the refusal of the South-Eastern Traffic Commissioners to allow the company to issue single and period-return fares on express services from Eastbourne, Worthing, Southsea and Bognor to London. An appeal in respect of the Bournemouth route was withdrawn.
SEVEN LICENCES SUSPENDED.
A S the result of facts brought to light
at an inquiry held in Leicester on June 15, following complaints by the United Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., the East Midland Traffic Commissioners announce the suspension from July 15-29 of the licences held by Frosts (Motors), Ltd., Kettering, in respect of seven routes, ABERDARE'S TRAMS TO GO.
ABERDARE Urban District Council, as foreshadowed some time ago in The Commercial Motor, is to replace its trams by buses. It is to apply to the Ministries of Health and Transport for sanction to borrow £15,000 for the purchase of double-deck buses in connection with the first section of tramways to be abandoned. The council at present runs trams, trolleybuses, and petrol buses, the first-named having for some years run at a loss.
BUS STAND ON RAILWAY GROUND: COUNCIL APPEALS.
AN interesting inquiry was conducted last week at Largs into an appeal by the town council against the Southern Scotland Traffic Commissioners' action in permitting the Western S.M.T. Co., Ltd., to use as a bus stand ground owned by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. at the pierhead.
It was stated on behalf of the council that the ground had been a right of way from time immemorial, that its use as a bus stand would be a public danger and that existing facilities were ample. CALL FOR UNIFORM POLICY FOR COMMISSIONERS.
QNE of the prints to be put forward by the deputation of Lancashire and Yorkshire independent coach operators to the Minister of Transport is the need for a unitorm policy to be followed by all Traffic Commissioners.
This was one of the subjecta discussed at a meeting in Leeds on Tuesday of the joint sub-committee of the Lancashire and Yorkshire joint standing committees. Various proposals on this and other matters were discussed and Mr. J. J. Berry, chairman of the Northern Road Iransport Owners' Association, presided as independent chairman. It was decided to hold a further meeting in Manchester on Tuesday next, when it is hoped to complete details of the prop( sed points for submission -to the Minister.
MAXWAYS-CROSVILLE CASE BROUGHT TO APPEAL.
ALONG-STANDING dispute between Messrs. Maxways Motor Services and Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., concerning the operation of services from Liverpool and Birkenhead to Caernarvon, was brought to appeal. on Monday last. Prior to the operation of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, it was stated, Messrs. Maxways ran services between these points and, in 1931, entered into a co-ordination agreement with Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., but later terminated it.
The former concern then requested the North-Western Traffic Commissioners to restore the position obtaining in March, 1931 (prior to the drawing up of the agreement), but it was contended that the decision of the Commissioners did not meet the case.
LEEDS CORPORATION REJECTS CO-ORDINATION SCHEME.
NO agreement has yet been reached between Leeds Corporation and independent coach operators in Leeds on the proposals for the co-ordination of services running, on Saturdays, from the centre of the city to the chief football grounds. It is understood that the corporation has refused to accept the independent owners' co-ordination proposals, already described in The Commercial Motor.
The Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners have deferred their decisions on the independent proprietors' applications for the renewal of their licences for this class of work, pending an agreement being reached between the operators and the local authority. BIG BUS ORDERS FROM SOUTH AFRICA.
REPORTS just issued dealing with the municipal-transport systems of Johannesburg and Pretoria hold out prospects of valuable orders for vehicles and equipment.
At Johannesburg the report of the Commission presided over by Mr. C. J. Spencer, of London, recommends the purchase of 17 double-deck trolleybuses and 35 double-deck motorbuses, and urges the replacement of obsolete types of bus. At present there are no trolleybuses in Johannesburg, but one has recently been on loan from England and has been used for test purposes. The report also urges a policy of general expansion, and suggests that, as the municipal-transport system enjoys practically a monopoly, £1.000,000 might safely be spent in developing the services.
Mr. L M. Barry, manager of the transport department, is at present in London, and has power to spend £72,000 on the purchase of about 28 buses. Mr. Spencer will take part in considering the tenders.
At Pretoria the report on the municipal undertaking is by Mr. M. G.• Nicholson, town clerk, and Mr. L. L. Horrell, city electrical engineer, who recently visited England. Both officials recommend the complete abandonment of the tramways and the replacement of the tramcars by oil-engined buses, of which they recommend the immediate purchase of four.
GLASGOW URGED TO RUN TROLLEYBUSES.
ONE of the most enterprising of the younger members of Glasgow Corporation, Councillor Victor D. Warren, is anxious to see trolleybuses introduced into Glasgow. "Now that we have Parliamentary powers," he says. "why should there be any delay in experimenting with the trolleybuses?"
Councillor Warren thinks that there
• is an opportunity for Scottish manufacturers of buses to submit plans and specifications for the corporation's consideration. At Pinkstou Power Station electricity for tramcars is obtained at d. per unit, and, with such a low rate prevailing, plus the saving in track and road charges, he is of opinion that the introduction of trolleybuses would be highly economical. If they be employed, the present rolling stock could, he contends, be abandoned in 10 years.
MUNICIPAL-COMPANY INTERWORKING IN WALES.
DONTYPRIDD Urban District Coun
cil has adopted a recommendation of its transport committee that a reciprocal agreement be entered into with the Rhondda Tramways Co., Ltd., under which Pontypridd Council will run buses in the Rhondda area to Blaenrhondda, a distance of 13 miles, to avoid the need for passengers changing vehicles. It was stated that the agreement, which is subject to ratification by the South Wales Traffic Commissioners, would entail the council buying another double-deck bus.
Some councillors opposed the pro
pocal on the ground that municipalities should not enter into agreement
"which might extend the life" of , private services. Another member, who supported the project, thought that soon joint control boards would be set up all over the country.
COMPLAINTS CONCERNING FARES FOLLOW MERGERS.
LLWCHWR Urban District Council discussed, on July 12, complaints concerning bus fares, following the acquisition of a number of local enterprises by another concefn. The clerk said that a special meeting had already decided to protest to the Commissioners and a member remarked that for some stages the fare was at the rate of 3d. per mile. The council decided to take up the matter.
FIVE MORE LONDON TRANSFER SCHEMES.
QCHEMES for the transfer of the --jundertakings of Messrs. Convey and Clayton, Tottenham, N.17; Red Roves Omnibus, Ltd., Fulham, S.W.6; Messrs: E. G. Hope, Streatham, S.W.16; Cleveland Omnibus Co., Ltd., Chiswick, W.4 ; and Eagle Omnibus Co., Ltd., Kensington, W., have been submitted by the London Passenger Transport Board to the London Passenger Transport Arbitration Tribunal. The schemes are available for inspection at the offices of the Tribunal, Columbia House, Aldwych, London, W ,C .2.
LONDON TROLLEYBUS BILL PASSES LORDS. COMMITTEE.
A SELECT Committee of the House 1-1 of Lords, presided over by Lord Wemyss, last week concluded consideration of the London Passenger Transport Board Bill to authorize the replacement of tramways by trolleybus services.
For the Board, it was stated that 62 miles of tramways track which had been taken over was 20 years old and required renewal, and if new track were laid down the Board would be bound for another 20 years to tramways. Already having 18 miles of -trolleybus route, it was proposed to convert about 85miles of tramways to trolleybus working.
Lord Ashfield, 'chairman of the Board, gave evidence, and stressed the safety of the trolleybus as compared with the tram, in the sense that it caused fewer accidents. The committee decided to authorize the conversion of the tramways from Altigate to Grove Road, Stepney, from the conduit to the overhead system. The amended Bill was ordered to be reported to the Hou.se.
SEASON-TICKET CONCESSION TO HOLIDAYMAKERS.
A SOMEWHAT unusual concession Indias been made by GeIlygaer Urban District Council to bus season-ticket holders. The council will allow holders of season tickets of three months or longer availability a rebate equal to 14 days' fares in respect of the non-use of the buses while on holiday. ' No rebate will be allowed, for any other reason, such as illness.
FIRST A.E.C.s FOR CHELTENHAM.
I T is expected that the first A.E.C.
buses to be used locally in the Cheltenham area will be ready for service early in August. They will be introduced by the Cheltenham and District Traction Co., which has ordered six Regent petrol-engiued double-deckers. BIG DEVELOPMENTS IN RADIO FOR COACHES.
RADIO for coaches is gaining increasinging favour amongst operators. The Commercial Motor understands that several large concerns have, during the past few months, been experimenting with radio, and now propose to exploit this means for attracting patronage on a bigger scale.
A variety of radio sets is available for use in coaches, and the National Radio Service, Ltd., Alfred Place, London, W.C.1, which has 24 years' experience of the work, is specializing in equipping such vehicles with any make or type of set. This concern is willing to assist operators regarding wireless equipment. The cost of installing radio, including, of course, the cost of the set, is in the neighbourhood of 218 to 220.
OVER 600 OPERATORS IN EAST MIDLAND AREA.
,THE East Midland Traffic CommisJ. sioners have issued a list of operators of public:service vehicles, and local-authority and other general conditions. The operators, of which there are over 600, are mainly those having
headquarters in the East Midland Area, but include certain companies with headquarters outside the area, which hold primary licences in it. The list shows which operators run services and excursions, services alone, excursions alone and those which hold no roadservice licences.
" DANGEROUS " STOPPING PLACES.
W/ITH the assistance of the police the VV North-Western Traffic Commissioners are to investigate the whole matter of bus stopping places in dangerous positions in their area. Mr. W. Chamberlain, chairman of the Commissioners, stated last week that there were thousands of dangerous stopping places in the North-Western Area.
SWANSEA TO APPEAL. QWANSEA Watch Committee has deOcided to appeal against the South
Wales Traffic Commissioners' action in granting a licence to the South Wales Transport Co., Ltd., for a service from Swansea to Fforestfach. The route includes Brynmill Lane, which the committee considers to be dangerous for bus traffic. COL. REDMAN CALLS FOR FINANCIAL AGREEMENT.
THE view that a financial agreement should be reached between the Leamington and Warwick Electrical Co., Ltd., and the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., was expressed, last week,. by Col. A. S. Redman, chairman of the West Mid
land Traffic Commissioners. , The question arose over the protection of the Leamington and Warwick concern's bus services. It might, said Col. Redman, be possible to arrange for passengers to be carried on the local company's routes by the "Midland Red " concern at a protective fare.
The Leamington and Warwick company could not, it was stated, see its way to making an arrangement which had been discussed with the "Midland Red," having been advised that it would be difficult to reach any agreement which would fully safeguard the statutory rights of the company.
Col. Redman said that such arrangements were in force elsewhere, and withheld approval of the Leamington and Warwick concern's applications for licences until the matter had beer satisfactorily settled.