PIONEER COACHING IN — NORTH WALES VOUR issue dated July 29 contained
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an article by 1 Mr. C. S. Dunbar entitled "Five Transport Systems for Two Seaside Resorts," and concerned those for Llandudno and Colwyn Bay. It omitted, however, any reference to this company, which claims to have been the first to operate motor coaches in North Wales and, possibly, in the whole country.
Our business was started in 1906, the main activity being the running of such vehicles for pleasure purposes. Since then there has been no break in this department except during the war period.
It is true that motor coaching is only a part of our activities and it is equally true that we have not branched out into stage-carriage work, with which your contributor was, possibly, more particularly concerned. We think, however, that as pioneers of toaching, our experience may be worthy of mention.
In addition, Mr. Dunbar did not mention the fact that the Guy runabout buses owned by the Llandudno Urban District Council were supplied by us, as well as the Commer vehicle to which reference was also made.
F. A. WILKES, Managing Director (For Red Garages (North Wales), Ltd.) Lland ud no.
PASSENGER TRANSPORT IN THE . WEST COUNTRY ON June 30 I resigned from my position as assistant general manager and chief engineer of the Hants and Sussex Motor Services, Ltd., to take up a similar appointment with Bere Regis and District Motor Services. In this connection I was surprised to see, in the useful article, "State Hands Close on Transport in the Nest," by Mr. C. S. Dunbar, M.Inst.T., published in .
your issue dated July 22, that his references concerning the constitution of the fleet of the latter were not up to date.
The total fleet now numbers 129, made up as follows: Oil-engined double-deckers 5, oil-engined single-deckers 24, petrol-engined single-deckers 91, staff cars 3, service vehicles 6.
P. A. O'SuunvaN, Bere Regis. Chief Engineer.
T. WAS very interested to read the account by Mr. 1 Dunbar concerning the influence of the bigger companies in connection with passenger transport in the West Country.
Being, I believe, one of the oldest private operators in the Yeovil district, I was surprised that no mention was made of my services. As a matter of fact, I started a Bower Hinton, Martock, Yeovil service in 1922, and have continued this ever since without a break, seven Vehicles now being operated. I do not resent this omission in any way, but I would like to have it placed on record for the reason that other operators in the area may wonder if I have gone out of business.
Bower Hinton. JOSEPH A. WINTLE.
WHY NOT ABOLISH TICKETS IN LONDON?.
REGARDING the news paragraph headed "Abolish Tickets in London, Says M.P.," published in your issue dated July 29, I think that the remarks made on this matter by Mr. Stokes, M.P., concerning the waste of manpower in issuing tickets on public-service vehicles in the Metropolitan area, were very sound, especially so, as the Government repeatedly tells us of the acute shortage of labour, and that employers must use workers to the best possible advantage. The British Railway. Executive also should take-heed-of this point, as it has hordes of ticket collectors and °thee officials at the main-line termini, and on the trains If tickets can be dispensed with effectively in New York, I feel sure that the method could be made workable here. It is possible, however, that the trade unions cOncerned would wield the big stick against such a policy, andperhaps the Minister of Transport had this 'in mind when he replied to Mr. Stokes, saying that the proposal was not practicable, although he did admit that the question had some substance.
London, S.W.11 J. T MARNEY, A DRIVER ON WORKING CONDITIONS pECENTLY I read with great interest the article . entitled "Perishable—So It Goes By Road," in your issue dated July 15.
Whilst I agree that this story was factually -correct, I must take issue with you on the matter written concerning the pay and conditions of the driving staff of the company concerned.
The conditions would seem so rosy that there may be many applications from would-be drivers as a result of the article.
I am not a " Red " or a trouble-maker, nor do wish to start a controversy. 1 have had 29 years as a driver, 15 of them where the men were trade unionists, the others in non-union jobs, and I found just as good conditions and pay in the latter as in the former.
I must emphasize that the concern for which I work pays the rate classified by the Wages Board as fair, and any criticism I make is against the general pay of all drivers in the industry. For a 44-hour week, I receive a gross amount of 14 15s. 4d., and for this I am placed in charge of about £600 of " property." A man employed in sweeping or other jobs, not even semi-skilled, receives some 18s. 4d. more per week. To obtain a living wage, it is necessary for our drivers to work between 50 and 60 hours weekly.
In the case of our men, the meal money mentioned has beed abolished, reducing the total earnings by 13s. 6d., whilst the subsistence allowance has been reduced to the standard rate.
Surely it was unnecessary to mention parking fees, as it is certainly to any company's benefit that its rolling stock should be properly cared for.
I am not suggesting changing my position, but I do_ not believe in overmuch "gilding the lily.'"
Colnbrook. T. A. RICHARDS.
OLD COPIES FOR DISPOSAL THERE seems to be a demand for many back num
bers of "The Commercial Motor," and, as it happens, I have about 100 of these available. Perhaps some of your other readers would like to have them, as they are all in good condition.
May I take this opportunity of wishing you continued success with your journal L. Cox. Bowcott Lodge, Near Woton-u-Edge WOULD like to thank you for the large number of communications forwarded to me as a result of my letter which you published in "The Commercial Motor." All the old copies that I had have now been distributed, and despite the fact that I divided them into lots, there were quite a few requests which I could not meet.
I can again "blow your trumpet' as to the popularity of your journal, as has been proved by the large number
of inquiries received. R. M. ROGERS. Bridpo rt.