The Industry's Promising Future
Page 35
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THERE is far too strong a spirit of pessimism in the road-transport industry. Certainly matters have not been too bright in the past, but we consider that there is some reason for at least a moderate degree of optimism. The spate of laws and regulations appears to have diminished in volume and severity, and the turmoil occasioned by the licensing of vehicles, the preparation of record forms, etc., has to a great extent subsided. Those left with licences can therefore look forward with some measure of confidence to good business and a comparatively clear field if they have'observed the conditions of their licences, and are thus in a good tactical position for obtaining renewals when their present licences expire.
There is every prospect, too, that the endeavours —immature as they may be at present—which are being made to obtain some measure of standardization of rates will, before long, have some effect in this direction, This will not only help the individual operator, but will improve the status of the haulage side of the industry.
In the political field the welding of two important associations has increased the strength of that resulting. This, by the power of its . huge and ever-growing membership, will be enabled to wield a decisive influence on all matters pertaining to the welfare of those whom it directly represents, as well as 'on those concerning the industry in general.
The ancillary, user is in a still more favourable position. The restrictions placed upon him-are few, and he can expand his tonnage as much as he deems advisable. There will undoubtedly continue to be an excellent market amongst this class of user, and we cannot see how, short of using physical force, he can be bullied into seriding his goods by rail having once tasted the freedom and efficiency of transport by road.
So far, we have not touched upon the passenger side, and here there are certainly grounds for congratulation, Most of the more important concerns are earning an adequate return on the capital invested, as is being found by the railways, which have spent some eight millions in buying shares in many of the largest coachand bus-operating companies.
The difficulties in respect of " contract carriages," etc., are steadily being overcome. Fleets are being renewed at a satisfactory rate, and both in the municipal and private spheres the abandonment of many sections of tram route and their replacement by the trolleybus or bus is providing much work for the makers.