"Illegal" Trips to Seaside
Page 37
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TVIANY small coach operators in the IVI• West Midlands are to make " illegal " trips to the seaside during the remainder of this summer. They will risk prosecution because they are fully booked to take seaside parties. "We just can't let our clients down," said Mr. J. H. B. Bates, chairman of the Private Coach Operators' Association, the body formed recently to pro test against the West Midland Licensing Authority's ruling on private-party work.
"The small men will risk it," said Mr. Bates. "In any case, most of them have been carrying• private parties without interference for 20 years and the legal position is now by no means clear. But the Association is unlikely to advise its members to break any law. It will be for the individual operator's themselves to decide," he said.
Most of them would not apply for full excursion and tour licences because that would be an admission that their journeys were illegal.
Already two Midland operators have been threatened with prosecution. Stopped on the road by Ministry of Transport enforcement officers during a recent holiday, they were told: "Your journey is not a special occasion. You will be reported."
Last week a Ministry official said: "There was no attempt to pick on them during the holiday. Our examiners were doing the job they do all the year round."
OVER 70 ON ROYAL TIGER
FIFTY Leyland Royal Tiger singledeckers which have just been placed in service in Sydney by New South V Wales Transport Department
• have capacity for over 70 passengers. Those operating on city services have seats for 37 and standing room for 40, whilst those on suburban services seat 43 and have room for 29 standing. .
An interesting safety measure is incorporated in the signalling system. The conductor's stop-start buttons are coupled with a blue indicating light visible from the driver's seat. When the bell is rung the blue light is switched on. If •passengers press a bell-button while the light is on no ring is heard, thus obviating false signals. The light is switched off only when the conductor's start button is pressed.
Bodywork was constructed in Australia by the Commonwealth Engineering Co., Ltd.
BRITISH ROAD SERVICES OUT
AFTER representations from the British Agricultural Contractors' Association, the Ministry of Agriculture have decided to cancel the arrangements which were made for British Road Services to be the sole spreaders of gypsum in the flood-damaged area of North Lincolnshire. A definite refusal to consider a 5 per cent, increase in .rates for the carrying of lime has been made by the Ministry. In spite of this, and although the Ministry state that the majority of hauliers is satisfied with the present rates, the lime and bulk fertilizer spreading committee are still hoping to arrange a meeting to discuss their claims.
" STANDEE " BUS POPULAR
THE Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., state that the " standee " bus they have been operating on the busy Harlescott service in Shrewsbury has been well received by both staff and public.
With a carrying capacity almost equal to that of-a double-decker, it seats 30 and has a gangway capable of holding 28 standing passengers. A decision about the future of this prototype has not yet been made. Trial runs are to be made in other areas after Shrewsbury.
"EXPLAIN FARE INCREASES"
A RESOLUTION that the Labour 1—k group of Birmingham City Council should organize a meeting to explain Eh': reasons for increases in fares and to press the Govemmant to reduce fuel ta and interest charges, has been made by a local branch of the Amalgamated Engineering Union.
Four resolutions protesting against the advance in fares will be brought before the Birmingham Trades Council on August 22.
TRAILER FOR 4 CWT. LOADS
A4-CVVT. trailer capable of being towed by a small van is being produced by Woodroyd Trailers, a subsidiary of Woodroyd Tools, Ltd.;
Millbrook, Stalybridge, Lancs. The timber body is mounted on a simple chassis and measures 4 ft. 6 in. by 2 ft. l0 in. by 10 in. internally.
The patented coil-spring suspension system affords smooth travel. Unladen, the trailer weighs I cwt. The retail price is £28. A green tilt is available as an extra. •