MOTOR COACH DOINGS AND DEVELOPMENTS.
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Matters of Topical Interest to Proprietors of Chars-a-Banes
Manchester's Coaches.
A Bird's-eye View of Northern Coachowners' Organization.
MANCHESTER and the immediately adjoining districts have a fleet of between 400 and 500 motor chars-abanes and the Manchester and Counties _ Motor Transport Association of which . the majority of the owners are members, has taken very definite steps toward improving the status of motor coaching as a trade. .
In a brief conversation with Mr. J. S. Howarth, the secretary, a representative of The Commercial Motor was informed that all members of the association had been asked to fix in a prominent position on each of their coaches the following notices which had been issued by the association :—
"The Manchester and Counties Motor Transport Association wish to draw the attention of the public to the attitude of certain people Who appear to be determined to restrict the free use of motor coaches as far as possible.
"Motor coaches being the working man's motorcar, the members of the abeive association make a special appeal to passengers and users of these vehicles to kindly refrain from standing up and shouting, sitting on the sides or hood, or eating in any objectionable manner whatsoever, such as throwing coins, bottles, or other articles from the motot coach, as this kind of behaviour only tends to bring motor coach parties into disfavour with the general public, and attracts the attentions of the police. . " The result being that, in many cases, summonses are taken out against the driver and owner, which otherwise would never occur.
" Passengers are also requested not to interfere or obstruct the driver in carrying out his duties, and thereby assist in avoiding accidents, etc." The matter has not been allowed to rest here, for a series of suggestions have been—or are being—circulated amongst drivers. .
Some• good work has been done this season by. the association for its meinhers; who have been assisted both in the provision of parties and the hiring of coaches. . ,
As Mr. Howarth explained, "The as
. , .
soeiatiern is a kind of clearing house for.naotor.coacheS, and, having a membership of .325, its strength will be
readily appreciated." " •
• "-Do you not' think," we q.ueried, "that this Winter Would be an opportune tinie to bring into being a national -association for motor coach owners to establish the basic conditions of the trade and to deal with matters beyond the capacity of local committees to handle ? "
" Personally," said Mr. Howarth, "from a very practical experience I am not at all fond of national organizations. They do not deal with matters as they ought to do. Then there is such a big difference between conditions in the north and in the south country, that I do not think we could work on a satisfactory basis."
Motor coach bookings from Manchester are mainly for parties, and fares work out at about 1id. per passenger per mile. The Manchester area covers a big district, and fares are sectionalized according to the district from which the journey is made. Under the auspices of the association, five separate rate lists have been prepared :—(I) Proprietors in the Manchester district ; (2) Heywood, Rochdale an& Littleboro', districta ; (3) Oldham and Middleton districts; (4) Ashton, Hyde, Mossley 'and Greenfield section; and (5) Radcliffe, Bury, Whitefleld and Bolton section: By this method full justice is done in the matter of fares to the proprietors in the neighbouring districts, at the same time offering outsiders every inducement to become members and thus assist in the maintenance of the established minimum fares.
How these differential rates work out can be seen from the following table :---
The rate cards of the areas contain a coinplete list of the names and addresses and telephone numbers of members of the aasociation in the area, as well as conditions of hire. For instance, in Manchester and district we note there are 54 members; in Heywood, Rochdale and Littleboro', 17 coach owners; Oldham and Middleton, 29 -owners. The Radcliffe, Bury, Whitefield and Bolton section divide their prices into two sections, he first being for half-day tours and the sesond far the full day. In addia. tion to the fares are given the times of departures, which are between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. for afternoon outings, and from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. for the full day.
The following are the terms of the Manchester hiring contract :— Charges are based on a full guaranteed party according to cars' capacity of 24 28 or 33 penons. Fourth:au seaters are aubject to an extra charge of 25 per cent. No full-day bookings are accepted under 10s. All cars to be at liberty by 11 p.m. the same day. After this time an extra charge of 10s. per hour is made. Passengers pay all tolls and ferry charges.