Rail Charges Scheme Published: Answer to Road Competition
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THE railways' answer to road haulage competition—the British Transport Commission (Railway Merchandise) Charges Scheme— was submitted to the Transport Tribunal on Monday. It sets out maxim urn rates which, the Cwrimission said, "have been put at a level high enough to cover a substantial range of variation in the charges to be made in practice."
They relate to about 85 per cent., in terms of present-day receipts, of the traffic covered by the scheme.
The new maxima are calculated according to the weight of the consignment and the facility with which it can be loaded and carried. They are based on consignments of specified minimum tonnages of similar goods reasonably Capable of being carried in an open twoaxled 10-ton rail wagon of 450-cu.-ft. capacity. The charges for merchandise other than that carried in owners' tankers or wagons are as follows:—
In the case of smalls, the charges are as follows: Consignments over a ton, 160s. a ton for the first 10 miles; Is. 3d. a ton for each additional mile. Consignments over 10 cwt. but under a ton, add Is. per consignment. Consignments under 10 cwt., add 2s. 6d. per consignment.
Traffic carried in owners' tankers or wagons will be charged at 20s. a ton for the first 10 miles and 6d. a ton for each additional mile.
Special arrangements are made for calculating the rates for long articles exceeding 24 ft.
Accent on Full Loads "Within the new maxima, the Commission will be able to pursue a policy of rate-making which will encourage the tendering of traffic in wagon-load consignments." the B.T.C. said on Monday. The scales had a pronounced taper in charges per ton per mile. The relative advantage in the new maxima as the distance increased was greater than in the present standard charges.
In the case of livestock carried by goods train, and merchandise, miscellaneous traffic and livestock by passenger train, the standard charges at present in force would be the maxima.
Once the scheme was approved by the Tribunal, the Commission said, they intended that most of the rates in active use when the scheme came into force should continue for the time being, to enable them to be progressively and systematically reviewed.
Amending schemes may be submitted Eater.
Bus Terminal Conditions to be Controlled?
TERMINI of road passenger undertakings have been brought by Mr. Harold Davies (Lab., Leek) into his Non-Industrial Employment Bill, which would give effect to the Gowers Report on the working conditions of 12m. people at present outside the scope of the Factory Act.
The Bill, due for debate on April 1, would empower the Home Secretary to lay down minimum working conditions in shops and offices. Mr. Davies has given a special mention to: "Any premises forming part of any local road passenger transport undertaking which comprise an inner terminal point for the road transport services conducted by such undertaking and at which not less than six persons arc employed."
The Government will oppose the measure, for the Home Secretary already has a Bill on this subject in rough draft. Twenty-four trade unions are circularizing M.P.s, urging them to support Mr. Davies' Bill but it may be withdrawn in favour of the Government measure if this is introduced next session.
Regulations regarding standards of space, light and warmth, provision for washing and sanitation, and facilities for rest rooms and serving food would be administered by local authorities, with the Home Secretary as the responsible Minister.