Bird's Eye
Page 48
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View BY THE HAWK
Harvest time
IN THE LIGHT of the Minister's proposals in regard to professional transport managers, I should not be surprised if a number of trade unions—let alone the professional associations—try to harvest an extensive membership, particularly as no statutory protection appears to be envisaged by Mrs. Castle.
But at the Congress, Clive Jenkins, of the militant ASSET which has a small stake in Birmingham municipal transport told me it has not thought of extending its road transport hold.
No dusty answer
SHINING in a manner that would bring joy to a sergeant-major's heart, Manchester Corporation cleansing department's vehicles— almost all 241 of them—were paraded against a noble background (Wythenshawe Hall) last week.
Nine drivers who obtained full marks at the August inspection tied for the four-month-period prizes. Each received the full premier-award-winner £9. Inter-depot rivalry was keen—despite the fact that there was no team award. So Platt Lane applause rang out loud at the announcement that five of their colleagues were among the "£9 nine".
The 1966-67 fleet championship was shared by Mr. J. O'Reilley (joint-champion in 1966) and Mr. T. Williams (1965 champion): neither dropped a point and each received £10. Runners-up— only a quarter-point behind—were Mr. J. H. Donnelly (champion 1961-2-3) and Mr. B. Mansfield (champion in 1964 and jointly in 1966).
Colour problem
I AM rather amused by the directly opposing lines large companies are taking on vehicle livery design. The bright, warm colours used by fuel firms were said to have been psychologically bad—creat ing an impression of danger and so they have almost all given way to muted or pastel shades.
Personally I think this is a "nonsense". The yellow, white and grey of Shell-Mex and BP for example, is an attractive combination but it will never have the same appeal for me as those rich reds and greens. And that wonderful orange used by Mobil has given way to an almost invisible grey which I think looks doubly insignificant when it gets dirty.
Apparently I have practical support for my liking of bright colours on vehicle finishes: Tunnel Cement has now adopted a wonderfully rich red with a big, husky capital "T" symbol on its new bulk wagons. Replacing what? Why, grey of course.
Fearless Fred
FRED HOPE, graphically described in Incentive 67, a BOAC export-boosting monthly, as "Fearless Fred, King of the JackKnifers", is certainly getting his message across internationally.
It says that batches of 30 of the Hope anti-jack-knife 60 lb units flown to New York enjoy a special commodity rate of £4 lOs each. Air shipment to Japan, however, is a bit too pricey, and costs about half the unit selling price. How long before they are made in Japan?
Are we on the ball?
THE US General Electric Co. is developing a technique known as "digital overlay" to enable a central dispatcher to schedule up to 1,000 buses. He will be able to locate a specified vehicle at any time or place and determine its timing and capacity, and communicate directly with bus drivers to re-direct them if road conditions or traffic pressures require this.
Just the job for London Transport whose organization last week resulted in five No. 9 buses bunching within 100 yards in Kensington High Street. All facing one way. Time? 10.15 a.m.
Odd that the US, for so long backward in public transportation, should now pioneer in this field. What are we doing?
Good steering!
STRONG HINTS that the Morris steering group report on rail financial control and management techniques contain brutal criticisms of the present organization—or lack of it—will not surprise many road hauliers, especially those employed by State concerns.
British Railways management directory is fantastically voluminous. Your pruning shears, Madam Minister, and please, please publish the report quickly.
Star material
ARTHUR ("JOE") ADAMS, the Kingston upon Thames (London) haulier, has once again shown his love of vintage vehicles. This week he bought the last petrol-engined singledecker bus to operate in Paris—a 1932 Renault. Like other vintage vehicles he owns, the 50-seater is available if some film director wishes to make her a star. And she is being groomed for a debut at next year's Brighton rally.
Containers all the way
HARD on the heels of the announcement by Containerway and Roadferry Ltd. of their new service to Eire, comes the news that the company will soon be operating a container service to Denmark via Felixstowe and Copenhagen. The service, which will be operated in conjunction with the company's Danish associates Paul Lehmann, starts on October 1, 1967.