Answers to Queries.
Page 29
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Laundry-Van Costs.
[1,419] " LAUNDRYMAN " writes Here are my costs motors versus horses, for the same work in each ease. I have set them out as a comparison of the annual running expenses for 52 weeks, at an average of 30 miles on each of six days per week (9,360 miles a year) :—
BY HORSE VANS.
Wages of two men, at 27s. weekly ... ... 140 8 Wages of two boys, at 6s. 6c1, weekly ... 33 16 Repairs to two vans, at £.7 each ... ... 14 0 Repairs to two sets of harness, at I:1 per set 2 0 .,tia.,ing for two horses, at £4 4s. per horse... 88 Vet, for two horses, at £i per horse ... ... 2 0 Stabling or rent charge for two horses and
vans ... ... ... ... ... ... 10 0 Foceler and bedding for two horses, at las.
per week each ... ... ... ... ... 07 12 Insurance of horses and vans (third-party
and fire) ... ... ... ... ... 3 0 Interest at 5 per cent, on a capital charge of : Two vans and fittings, at £30 ... £60 Two horses, at £30 ... 60 Two sets of harness, at £10 20 A sswER.—We think this: that our correspondent's figures fully bear out the fact, for which we have so often contended, that a motorvan is able, even upon so small a mileage as 30 per day, at least to equal horse-van costs. Cannot " Laundryman " arrange that his motorvan shall travel another 20 miles per day, in which event his costs would certainly fall to the neighbourhood of 5d. per mile. Whilst his cost for solid rubber tires is not unusually high, at ld. per mile, he may have observed that Messrs. Shoolbred are able to get this figure down to about half.
Motoreab Estimates.
[1,420] " NORTHERN " writes :-I want you to criticise the enclosed figures of working for motorcabs in London. i he figure for rent, rates, taxes, etc., does not seem to me to be very high, and nothing is said with reference to lubrication, which I should say in itself would be a matter of 5s. a week per cab---say, 30s. per week for six cabs. A friend of mine has been asked to put up the money required, and has asked my advice, and I think you may be able to help me in giving him reliable data.
PARTICULARS.
" Six cabs at £400 each, £2,400; payment for same to, ba £120 each down, and afterwards 10s. per cab, at six days a week, till paid off. " Cash requireu: £720 down ; from first year's takings (52 weeks at .C18), £936; from second year's takings (414 weeks at £18), £744; total, £2,400.
" Weekly receipts: takings of six cabs at .C2 a day (£12 per week each), £72; outside sales of petrol (estimated at 100 gallons per week—at 3d. per gallon profit), El 5s.; total per week, £73 '6s.
" Payments: Drivers, 25 per cent, of takings (and buy their own petrol), £18; repayments on account of cabs, £18; repairs (5s. per day per cab), £9; rent of taximeters, 16s. ; licenses, 10s.; and rent, rates, taxes, etc., £2— total per week, £48 Os."
A:saws:R.—The price quoted for the cabs, viz., £400. each, is high. Reliable machines should be procurable at £350 or thereabouts. Possibly, however, the £400 is to allow for the payment by instalments. The estimate of the takings is probably well based for the Metropolis (at the present time): providing a driver is a good man, an average of £2 should be easily procurable. If, however, competition becomes extremely severe in London, as it seems likely to do, this figure may have to be reduced proportionately, say, even to 26s. You will probably be able to run a proportion of your small fleet on the Sundays. Long-distance trips are generally procurable on that day, and considerable contract work can be secured if you have anything of a connection.
As far as the outside sales of petrol are concerned, this is, of course, a question of local conditions entirely, and you alone can estimate therefor. You will, however, make a profit on the petrol you sell to your drivers. The ordinary 10-14h.p. cab, such as those used in London, should run, on an average, 60 miles per day, and consume three gallons of petrol (on the average) per day. Taking into account all the conditions of the proposition, you will do well to allow 20 per cent. on the prime cost for depreciation. We find no charge for this in the estimate. The charge for repairs almost entirely depends on the class of chassis you intend to buy. In addition to this, the figure will largely depend upon the preparations you are inclined to make in order to ensure efficient repair and overhaul. Repairs (including materials and wages) must usually be charged at about .7d. per mile, and oil, grease and paraffin at about .1d. per mile. In addition to these charges, you must allow for rent, rates, taxes, lighting, washing, insurance and claims, depreciation on plant. insurance, interest on capital and uniforms. Tires should be the subject of a separate charge; the estimate for this item varies between 0.5d. and 1.5d. a mile for London. " K.T." tires have run at the lower figure. In the Provinces, with large-powered cabs, this charge varies even more seriously.
[We would refer you to our " Motorcab Special" of the30th April, 1908. A few copies are left—price 2s. 6d. each.]