Operating Aspects of Passenger Transport (continued)
Page 54
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READING SAYS GOODBYE TO ITS TRAMS
Oo Sunday last Reading's tram services were taken over by a fleet of 25 A.E.C.-English Electric trolleybuses of the four-wheel double-deck type. Designed to a detailed specification of Mr. J. M. Calder, A.M.I.E.E., A.M.I.Mech.E., transport manager, these machines embody a number of• special features, including an 84-in. centre worm gear, skewed at three degrees in line with the motor, and the A.E.C. patented combined reservoir and control unit for the air brake equipment.
The 25 trolleybuses replace 24 trams on a six-mile route. Reading's bus fleet includes 23 A.E.C. Regent oilengined double-deckers, put into service at various periods since 1934.
BLACKBURN'S NET PROFIT OF £4,842.
THE annual report of the transport undertaking of Blackburn Corporation reveals a profit of £6,108 on the trams, and £4,842 on the buses. Tram passengers decreased by 103,248 and
those on the buses, numbering 9,626,396, represented an increase of 228,292. Bus receipts at £72,208 showed an increase of £2,221.
Income tax paid on bus profits absorbed £2,386, purchase of ticketissuing machines £150, interest on loans £1,342, and sinking fund contributions £9 , 292.
Regarding the buses, the acting manager, Mr. Potts, points out that superannuation and an increase of holidays of drivers and conductors from 8 to 12 days, were additional items of expenditure. The net profit, of £4,842, had been added to the surplus account, which now stands at £15,083.
In his report on the undertaking, the A36 borough treasurer said that a debt of £19,315 for 12 buses, acquired in 19'29, had been repaid. Since the services commenced, in November, 1929, additional buses had been purchased, and the garage at In tack completed. Total capital expenditure, on buses es at March 31 last, was £127,513.
INAUGURATION OF BRIGHTON'S TROLLEYBUSES.
T"formal inauguration of Brighton's trolleybus services will take place on Thursday, June 1, when the Mayor of Brighton, Councillor J. Talbot Nan son, will be present.
LEEDS ACCEPTS TENDER FOR 20 OIL-ENGINED BUSES.
ACCEPTANCE of tenders for the supply, to Leeds Corporation, of 20 oil-engined double-deck buses, each to seat 56 passengers, was recommended by the Corporation's Transport Committee, at its meeting on Monday last. These machines will have A.E.C. chassis, and the bodies will be built by Charles H. Roe, Ltd., of Leeds.
PRODUCER-GAS TESTS IN WALES
ASENTINEL H.S.G. 32-seater, single-deck bus has created a favourable impression in South Wales following stringent tests, carried out last week, by the South Wales Transport Co., Ltd., a concern which maintains a fleet of 320 oil and petrol
engined vehicles. The route chosen— from Swansea to Caswell Bay—was particularly difficult, and included frequent stopping points and a long nill with a maximum gradient of 1 in 6.9. So satisfactory were the tests that the company is now seriously considering the conversion of a number of machines to producer-gas.
The fuel used was anthracite, supplied by the Amalgamated Anthracite Collieries, Ltd., Swansea.
BUS SERVICE FOR ISLE OF HOY.
THE Traffic Commissioners for Northern Scotland have granted permission for a bus service to be operated on the Isle of Hoy, in the Orkneys. This will be the first bus service on the island.
FUTURE POLICY OF DUNDEE'S TRANSPORT SERVICES.
THE transport manager of Dundee Corporation, Mr. Robert Taylor, in a report on the future policy of his department, questions the wisdom of contemplating at the present time any new transport methods of a long-term. character.
Referring to trolleybuses, Mr. Taylor draws attention to his recent report on information supplied by 27 undertakings. In 23 instances it was shown that trolleybuses were more costly to operate than motorbuses, and in the remaining four the reverse applied. The outstanding debt cn Dundee's trams, excluding 'depots, tools, and plant, amounted to £106,516, and debt charges to £7,984. The estimated cost of converting the system to trolleybuses, including the outstanding debt, £112,500 for 50 new vehicles, and £33,700 for reinstatement of the highway, would be £274,775, with annual charges of £26,159.