Operating Aspects of Passenger Transport (continued)
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SPEEDOMETERS ON BUSES REQUEST
DURING the hearing of a " speedLing " case at Port Talbot county police court last week, it was entered as a plea for the bus driver charged that, as no speedometer was fitted to his vehicle, it was largely a matter of guesswork to judge speed. Sir William Jenkins, M.P., the presiding magistrate, said he would like the matter brought to the attention of the bus company, with the suggestion that speedometers should be fitted to publicservice vehicles. Police Superintendent Doolan commented that he had already made that suggestion, but unless the vehicle was a stage coach there was no obligation in law, on the part of bus companies, to fit speedometers. The driver, in this case, had to pay costs.
CROYDON COACH OPERATORS DINE AND DANCE.
THE seventh annual dinner and dance of the Croydon and District Motor Coach Owners Association, held at the " Greyhound," Croydon, last week, was, if anything, more enjoyable than any previous such gatherings of 'this body. Mr, A. H. Bourne was in the chair, and amongst the guests present were such well-known people as Messrs, Gleeson E. Robinson, M.C. (Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner), F. A. Min, and H. G. Williams, M.P., in addition to numerous representatives of vehicles and accessory suppliers. Proposing the toast of the Association, Mr. H. G. Williams said that the coaching industry was dependent upon trade, and there were indications that this was improving; there was every reason to look upon 1939 with measured optimism. He referred to the considerable number of restrictions which had to be observed. Ile could not personally understand why he should not get on to a coach whenever be wished to do so. The stronger the trade associations were, the better, and he advised all operators to join their appropriate body. Mr. A. H. Bourne, replying, said that work had been going on very quietly. The railways had asked for a square deal in connection with the transport of goods; they might soon be asking for one concerning passenger work. The p.v. side of the industry itself wanted a square deal. When it sought an increase of licences, it was told that London Transport was giving
excellent service. A solution lies in the partial relaxation of restrictions on picking-up points, which should be. say, half-a-mile apart.
Mr. S. D. Oddy welcomed the visitors, the response being made by Mr. Gleeson E. Robinson, who took the opportunity of emphasizing the importance of goods-vehicle operators returning their complete index sheets as quickly as possible and joining up in their groups.
Response was also made by Mr. F. A. Flin in his usual humorous vein.
PORTSMOUTH REJECTS FREETRAVEL SUGGESTION.
E request of the local trades 1 council, that old age pensioners should be permitted to travel free in the areas covered by Portsmouth Corporation vehicles, has been rejected by the corporation.
WAGE INCREASES IN PAISLEY
BUS employees of certain bus companiespanies in Paisley and district are to enjoy better wages and conditions as a result of awards made in London, last week, by the Industrial Court. The awards follow claims made by the Transport and General Workers' Union that the wages paid to, and the conditions of employment of, the people concerned were not in accordance with a section of the Road Traffic Act. The Court found that the rates and conditions of the companies concerned were in. certain respects less favourable than those set out in the schedule. Operators concerned are Paton Brothers and Bannatyne, Renfrew ; Ferguson and Muirhead, Renfrew; Susan Cunningham, Paisley; J. and W. Graham, Linwood Toll, Elderslie ; and J. M. M'Gill. Barrhead. The awarded rates are :—Drivers on appointment—is. 3tel. an hour; after six months, ls. 4d. an hour; after 12 months, is. 4-1d. an hour. Conductresses—on appointment-81d. an hour; after six months, 90.-Conductors—on appointment, at 18 years of age—_81d.; 19 years, 9/d.; 20 years, 101d. ; 20i years, 11d.; 21 years, Is. lid. Certain conditions of service are also laid down. Of the drivers, conductors and conductresses in each garage, 90 per cent, are to be guaranteed a week of 48 hours in six days and the remaining 10 per cent, to be guaranteed a week of 36 hours in six days. There are also provisions relating to week-end men, dismissals through reduction of staff, and so on.