Six-wheeled Bus a "Mechanical Monstrosity"—Mr. Raymond Birch
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AMECHANICAL monstrosity" was the description applied to the six-wheeled bus by Mr. Raymond Birch. chairman of the Public Transport Association, in a speech at the annual dinner of the Institute of Transport's Yorkshire Section, at Leeds, last week. •
Reiterating the call for reform in the Construction and Use Regulations to permit a general increase from 27 ft.
6 ins. to 30 ft. in the maximum length of public service vehicles, and from 7 ft. 6 ins. to 8 ft. in width, Mr. Birch said that relaxation of the length regulation was certainly required for doubledeck buses, but it was absolutely vital for single-deckers.
Admittedly, operators were now allowed a length of 30 ft. on three axles, but why should they have to put up with that monstrosity, the six-wheeler? Its first cost was high, it was costly to maintain, and its operation was expensive in fuel and tyre wear. Moreover, it was unobtainable. (Laughter.)
The present practice of confining 8-ft.-wide vehicles to certain routes, which had to be specially applied for by operators, must cause an enormous amount of trouble to Licensing Authorities, who had to examine every inch of the route "with a tooth-comb." Furthermore, the operator was involved in an expense of about £5 a mile for maps showing the route.
There was no danger in a general extension of coach and bus widths to 8 ft., but there would be a great difference in passenger comfort. One company with which Mr. Birch was connected had since 1940 operated several 8-ft. wide buses and they had had no accident which could be attributed to their width; in fact, their average accident record was better than that of the rest of the fleet.
"I look forward to the time when, to solve our traffic problems in Yorkshire, where we have so many low bridges, we shall :be running highcapacity, comfortably wide singledeckers having 40 to 45 seats," Mr. Birch added.
Satisfaction at the increasing influx of young students into the Institute was voiced by Mr. D. R. Lamb, the president. Last year, he pointed out, 1,100 candidates attended the Institute's examinations and presented 3,500 pa pers.
Alluding to the British Transport• Commission's acquisition of the road haulage interests of the Barr and Wallace Arnold Trust, Ltd., which also has large excursion and tour interests. Sir George Martin, a director of that company, commented: " The Commission have taken our heavy goods vehicles, and divided the family. We hope they will be kind to the widow and orphans they have left."