Tourists Enjoyed Trip to Moscow
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GENERAL satisfaction with an enjoyable three-week trip from London to Moscow and back was expressed last Friday by the first British coach tourists to have travelled through -the Iron Curtain as far as that city. 'Indeed, they carried many gifts from Russians, ranging from balalaikas to caviare.
The trip was organized by Mr. Vernon Maitland, general manager, Excelsior European Motorways, Bournemouth, and the vehicle used was an A.E.C. Reliance, which performed the 4,500-mile round trip in an. exemplary manner. Co-driving with Mr. Maitland were Mr. H. E. Ells, joint publicity manager, A.C.V. Sales Ltd., and Mr. E. Richardson, A.E.C. service engineer.
Most of the time, the engine was working at its governed maximum and the coach ran more than 200 miles from Minsk to Smolensk in just over four hours, whilst on the return from Moscow to Minsk, 500 miles were run almost non-stop.
At a welcome-home party, the tourists emphasized the extreme friendliness and hospitality of the Russians. Apart from ordinary sightseeing, they Visited the huge Zil motor factory, the Kremlin, Moscow University, the Lenin Stadium and the Planetarium, where they heard signals from the famous satellite.
Crowds surrounded the coach whereever it stopped and displayed particular interest in the underfloor engine and interior fittings.
It is notable that the Intourist facilities were such that Russia was entered twice as quickly as other countries en route. The two Russian guides spoke perfect English, were well educated and • could talk on any subject freely and convincingly.
NOTTINGHAM TRANSPORT HIT BY LOAN CHARGES
1-1NE of the most serious problems
facing Nottingham Transport Committee at present is the high loan charge for new vehicles. This was pointed out by the committee chairman, Mr. S. P. Hill, at a luncheon last week to mark the diamond jubilee of public transport in the city.
The department was also suffering from shortage of staff, he said, and it was only through crews working long hours that a normal service was being maintained. However, fares had increased by only 100 per cent. since the war.
Mr. A. G. Curtis, chairman of the .East Midlands Traffic Commissioners, said that since 1877, when four men undertook to provide horse-drawn transport in the city, the undertaking had expanded to 449 vehicles, which earned £1m. a year. They carried 155m. passengers annually, covering 13m, miles.
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