Building a Rates Structure a Lead from Northern Ireland
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A Rates Structure and System of Classification which Have Revolutionized Conditions Hitherto of a Chaotic Nature
"I FORESEE that, in any event, a
'classification of some sort is inevitable." This forecast was made by Mr. L. W. Gupvvell, at the recent National Road Transport Conference held in Birmingham, when discussing the establishment of a rates structure for road transport. • In Northern Ireland the Road Transport Board, established by Act of Parliament in 193.5, to provide road transport for the whole of Northern Ireland, has two methods of assessing charges, i.e. (a) On a time and mileage basis; (b) In accordance with a published classification of commodities and a mileage scale of rates.
The former is used for traffic conveyed between places where there is not a regular freight service, or where, owing to the nature of the merchandise or the service required by the trader, the traffic cannot be conveyed by• the regular freight service. This method possesses advantages both for the trader and the operator, e.g. : (1) The trader has the exclusive use of a lorry and the traffic is conveyed with the minimum of handling at a charge which is not governed by the quantum, or quality, of the load.
(2) The operator is covered in respect of any undue delay which may take place in dealing with the load.
(3) The fact that the trader pays for the time occupied, ensures that loading and unloading are expeditiously performed, and thus the vehicle is promptly freed for other work.
A Case for Fixed Rates.
Excellent as the system is, it could not be used where traffic is passing regularly from and to ports or industrial centres Obviously, a merchant in "A," bringing goods regularly from "B," requires a fixed rate per ton and not a time and mileage figure which, to-day might work out at 5s. per ton and to-morrow, owing, perhaps, to delay in obtaining traffic at docks or mills, or to variation in the actual tonnage conveyed, at 'is. 6d. per ton.
Again, to raise a charge on a time and mileage basis for, say, a 4-cwt consignment, which may be col lected, conveyed and delivered by three different vehicles, along with other sundries traffic, would not be practicable. To overcome this difficulty the Board adopts the second method, that is, the classification and mileage scale of rates.
Simple Classification.
• The classification is extremely simple; the commodities are divided into five classes, viz :—A, B, C, D and E.
Class A comprises heavy primary materials, such as coal, sand, tar and stones, which are invariably carried in large quantities; these are charged the lowest rates.
Class B includes bagstuff such as grain, flour, feeding stuff and potatoes, which constitute a large proportion of the traffic of Northern Ireland.
Class C covers the more valuable -heavy traffic and commodities which are not so conveniently handled, e.g., facing brick, iron and steel girders, and timber. It also includes such merchandise as cotton and linen cloth, flax and tow, yarns, and eggs. Class D embraces all general merchahdise, which usually passes in small consignments, such as hardware, groceries, and drapery.
Class E, to which the highest rates apply, comprises the valuable traffic, e.g., tobacco, wines and spirits, typewriting machines, etc.
The scales of rates are graduated mile by mile, and increase, class by class, from A to E. In classes A, B and C three sets of rates " per ton" are shown for minimum loads as follow :
CT. A SS MINIMUM LOADS OF
A .. 2 tons 4 tons 6 tons ... 1 ton 3 tons 6 tons C 1 ton „3 tons 5 tons
In classes D and E a "Small Consignments" scale is included for weights up to 3 cwt., and a tonnage scale for weights in excess. A list of mileages from the principal ports, to all places in Northern Ireland, is provided, so that merchants can readily ascertain the charges.
In addition to the foregoing rates, certain fixed charges "per article," for varying mileage zones, are provided for a few commoditieswhich are bulky in proportion to weight, and which experience has shown are more satisfactorily dealt with in this manner. These commodities include bicycles, furniture in small lots, and agricultural machines.
The classification and scales of rates include comprehensive conditions of carriage defining the Board's liability, etc. All rates for merchandise shown in the booklet are at "Owner's Risk," but the following note appears on the first page :—" Particulars of the Board's ordinary rates, which are, in most cases, about 25 per cent. higher than the rates quoted in this book, may be obtained on application."
The Board .Lso conveys live animals of all descriptions, and conditions of carriage for the conveyance of livestock and rates "per head" and "per lorry" are also included in the published scale.
A Definite Asset.
The merchants and traders of Northern Ireland are generally agreed that the publication, by the Board, of a stanOard classification and scale .of rates for road transport, is a definite asset to the trading community, and has completely revolutionized the chaotic conditions hitherto prevailing. Naturally, the rates do not meet with general approval, but at the recent public transport inquiry instituted by the Northern Ireland Government, the absence of complaints from large trading concerns, which use the Board's services extensively, was noteworthy.
The fact that the report of the committee of inquiry, of which Sir Wm. McLintock, G.B.E., C.V.D., is chairman, will shortly be placed before the Northern Ireland Parliament, has focused attention on the transport conditions in the Province, and no doubt the committee's findings and recommendations will be of vital interest to all concerned.