THE SIDECAR TAXI AT THE SEASIDE.
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An Innovation of Recent Years which has Proved a Commercial and Practical Success in Providing a Useful Public Service.
By L. J. Warrin, an Owner-driver.
AS THE OUTCOME of a recent talk with the Editor of The Commercial Motor, I am in a position to place before the readers of that journal some of the experiences of the owners, drivers, and users of the sidecar taxis in Brighton, which is my home town.
The sidecar taxi was first placed on the streets of , Brighton in December, 19.20, by Col. Hoskins, with the express intention, co far as possible, of employing exservice men. The result of his action was that 'a body of young men hare found remunerative employment. Col. Hoskins started with two sidecar taxis, driven by Mr. W. Ashton and Mr. Jack Davis, and success was gained from the start. These two drivers were actually the pioneers of this section of the cab industry on the south coast. They are still on the ranks, Mr. Davis now owning his own cab. Mr. Ashton covered 30,000 miles in the first 18 months, and in that time he made eight journeys to London and back, and many journeys to Folkestone and other Kent resorts. Trips to Eastbourne and Worthing are, of
course,frequent. The longest ourney that Mr. Ashton has so far undertaken with his cab is from Brighton to Newmarket and back.
On the experience gained, Col. Hoskins ordered four more cabs and went into partnership with Mr. Hubbard. The latter eventually bought out Col. Hoskins's share in the business and now runs, altogether, seven of the taxis. I myself own two, of which one is driven by myself and the 'other by Mr. Ashton (already mentioned). Other owners of sidecar taxis operating from the Brighton rank are Mr. Taylor, Mr. Davis (already mentioned), Mr. Reeve, Mr. Blackley, Mr. Goldsmith, Mr. Griggs, and Mr. Willcox.
The development of the movement in a couple of years is thus quite substantial, and 1 am sure that, if 022
other towns with a fairly large population were to welcome sidecar taxis and tolicense them, employment would be given to e-x-servite men capable of driving sidecars, the public also reaping a substantial advantage.
The Birmingham Small Arms Co. turn out a very serviceable machine with a canoelet body. These machines stand .up to the work extremely well. The two-cylindered 6-7 h.p. engine answers every require
ment., for our experience is that the machine will tackle any hill in Sussex, and even with big loads. The other day I took two passengers with a -total weight of 26 stone to the Dyke on "one leg," that is to say, one of my plugs was oiled up. I have taken two passengers, one weighing 16 stone and the other weighing 13 stone, to the Aloonbury Golf Links, so there is ample evidence here that the machine will carry the weight. This is a standard make of sidecar. taxi, but, of course, we are always on the look-out for improvements. One of our drivers, Mr. Goldsmith, has just fitted an h.p. four-cylindered Henderson engine, and this machine was placed on the rank this week. He expects great advantage from this engine on long trips. Mr. Goldsmith takes very great interest in his machine and has fitted it with every requisite for passengers' comfort.
The opinion of the drivers here is that the establishment of a depot by the Birmingham Small Arms Co., or the appointment of a good agent in the locality would be a great improvement, as it would enable U.S to obtain spare parts immediately. There are now 16 sidecar taxis in the town, and it is obvious that we are always undertaking small renovations. We have been well received by the authorities in Brighton. Through the good offices of the licensing inspector, Mr. Hobden, and of the Chief Constable, Mr. Griffin, we have been allotted the stand Which we
occupy alongside the entrance to the Aquarium, than which there is no more prominent position in the town. We found, when we were on the rank with the taxicabs, that matters did not work very well, and the granting of a rank exclusively retained for sidecar taxis has been a very great advantage, for our customers know *here to find us; moreover, on the street lamp at the head of the rank there has been fitted a public telephone, the key of the box being in the possession of one of the drivers. I also have th-e use of three telephone numbers in hotels and houses closely adjacent, and messages will always be sent over here from any one of these at any hour Of the day. . The telephone is, next to the excellent rank which we occupy, undoubtedly our greatest asset, for we are enabled to give to the public good service, and I am quite sure that on good service alone can a substantial business be built.
The intention is to provide a night service as well as a ■day service. This is a matter, however, for cooperation among the drivers, and I am quite sure that there are -opportunities for a considerable development of the service we are able at present to give.
There is plenty of business offering to us. In the winter we have balls, parties and theatres, and, with a large proportion of fine weather, we are always in demand for runs in various, directions along the coast and up country. We make a point of having at least one vehicle out on parade at seven o'clock in the morning, and we find that this feature is much appreciated. On the morning on which I met the Editor of The Commercial Motor, at about 11-.20, I had already made five journeys.. In the summer, of course, there is never an idle moment for us.
Our machines are periodically inspected and they are, in consequence, always in serviceable condition, able at-any time to undertake the longest trips at the shortest notice, and their appearance is excellent. The-drivers, if I may be allowed to say so, are an excellent body of men. They have_all had Food training and a good education, and we find thisfactor is appreciated by passengers, for there is always an excellent understanding between driver and passengers and mutual good feeling. This is rather an important point, because it must be remembered that the driver sits quite close to the passenger and, except -when the window on the off side is entirely closed, he is not completely screened off fromthe
passenger, as is the case in the taxicab. • The fares charged are is. per mile, with 8d. per mile after the first mile. One interesting point is that the passengers, realizing that the fares are so reasonable, give, in many cases, a fairly substantial tip. This, of course, is a great help to us, but, whatever the tip May be, we Make a strong point of giving the same civility as if the tip were more generous.
There is quite a humorous side to sidecar taxi driving. I remember an elderly lady who had had a very delightful drive of 23 miles. When alighting, she thanked the driver and gave him a good tip, and then sympathetically remarked, "You must be feeling awfully tired pedalling all that distance." I remember a case, too, where a driver actually -lost his pas
sengers. He had had a little trouble with his machine and, without hisnoticing it, the passengers got. out While he was effecting the necessary adjustment. Having finished, he remounted and had gone about three miles before he noticed that he was alone. In 1:ecOunting this incident, I make due apologies to the driver concerned, and may, of course, add that such a thing as this would only happen Once in a lifetime.
I haVe often been asked by passengers why the sidecar taxi is not used in London, but I see a great difficulty in the inability to travel backward under engine power. I can imagine that, in traffic, the inability to reverse would be a great handicap, but I do not see why the sidecar taxi should not be employed in the outer suburbs of London, whilst, for private hire work, I am convinced that there is a very fine opening indeed, and I am surprised that more men have not discovered the fact and made the experiment.
My opinion is that the sidecar taxi has come to stay. It can be. run on sound commercial lines, and it is undoubtedly quite a popular vehicle among those who have once made a trip in it. Any improvements by the makers and any possible reduction in-price will, of course, be welcomed by owners and drivers, and will go a long way towards building up this particular side of the hired-vehicle. industry.