Bus Services by Night for Taxi Drivers
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The London General Cab Co., LW, Provides for the Welfare of its Employees Engaged on Night Duty
WITH commendable enterprise and forethought, the London General Cab Co., Ltd., 1-3, Brixton Road, S.W.9, last week inaugurated free bus services, covering six routes, for the benefit of its employees who are engaged on night driving. The scheme was planned by Mr. V. D. Drury, the managing director, and Mr. 11. A. Thomas, the assistant manager.
At present one bus is being used, although supplementary transport is being afforded by a service van. Regular departures are made from headquarters, at Brixton, commencing at 1 a.m., and continuing until 4 a.m., the peak period being between 3.30 a.m. and 4 a.m.
Route 1 serves north and north-east London, being through Hackney, Dalston and Homerton to Tottenham, whilst route 2 takes in South London, including Thornton Heath and Norwood, as does route 3, which passes through Battersea, Southfields and Tooting to Mitcham. Route 4 deals with the needs of those men who live in the East End, including the dock areas. Drivers living in the south-east of the Metropolis are catered for by route 5, via Peckham, Lewisham, Catford and Herne Hill. Route 6 serves Central London, The bus is a Chevrolet with a 20seater body constructed by the operator. It is estimated that three vehicles will ultimately suffice to meet the drivers' needs, although if a greater number proves necessary the company will increase the fleet. As the scheme develops it may be possible to extend it to the concern's five branch garages.
During the course of an interview, Mr. H. A. Thomas told a representative of The Commercial Motor that the London General Cab Co., Ltd., is the largest taxicab-operating undertaking in the country, owning some 550 vehicles. About 320 of these are of Citroen make, whilst the others are of special London General manufacture, incorporating Citroen engines and gearboxes. The company-constructs nearly all the bodies of its taxicabs, and has extensive overhauling facilities.
900-1,000 Drivers.
" We employ 900-1,000 drivers," Mr. Thomas said, "the number fluctuating between those limits. Most of the men prefer to work during the day, but quite a number chooses night duty; which is, of course, more remunerative.There are two types of night drives —it would, perhaps, be more accurate to refer to the first class as evening workers—one commencing at about 6 p.m. and leaving off at 2 a.m., and the other working from 9 p.m. until, say, 5 a.m. "You can 'well imagine the difficulty of finding transport for these men, for ail-night tramcar and bus services are infrequent and do not cover places off the main tracks. In the past this company has endeavoured to meet the demands for conveyance by taking drivers home in the service vans, but recently it was decided that it was desirable to go a step farther.
" Therefore, we decided to establish our own has services," continued Mr. Thomas, "and I think our efforts are appreciated. Our employees benefit by free transport in a comfortable vehicle, whilst the company profits by increasing its goodwill with its drivers. Moreover, it is probable that some day workers will now change over to night duty, with financial advantage to themselves and the company. Fleet Street provides a useful amount of work at night, where there are always journalists looking for a conveyance.
"I have been in the trade for 24 years, so that I think I can claim to understand the psychology of the taxicab driver. Amongst other schemes we have an arrangement of group insurance for our drivers, whilst we provide them with free legal advice and defence, when needed."