Operating Aspects of
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Passenger Transport
STRONG OPPOSITION TO STATION PLAN
SUCH opposition to Halifax CorIVIporation s scheme to establish a bus station at Crossfields was put forward at a Ministry of Transport inquiry, last week. The objectors included bus companies, railways, Commercial Motor Users Association, Omnibus Owners Association, Royal Automobile Club, Automobile Association, Traction Engine Users Association, Halifax Market Tenants Association, and a number of occupiers of shops in the centre of the town.
In evidence in support of the scheme, Alderman A. W. Longbottom, chairman of the corporation highways committee, said that the council had in niind that another bus station would be necessary, but there was no place in view yet.
Mr. W. R. Hargrave, who represented a number of objectors, put forward the following points of objection:—
That there was no necessity of a bus station on the Crossfields Site, that the site was on an incline and away from the shopping and amusement centre, that the approach was narrow, that a station there would divert the public from the natural centre of the town, and. that the corporation had not consulted affected privately owned transport undertakings, nor given any indication of the cost to be. imposed on the ratepayers.
Mr. C. R. Hodgson, for the railways, said that if only one bus station were established and if that were some distance from fhe• railway station, coordination between road and rail travel would receive a serious setback.
BAN ON BUS CONTRACT.
A GREENOCK bus proprietor, Mr. CA. Alexander J. Doig, is not to be permitted to carry out a contract with the education committee of Renfrew County Council for the conveyance of children to and from a special school. Interim interdict granted recently by Sheriff Macdonald, at Greenock, was continued on November 20 by His Lordship, on a motion by the
Greenock Motor Services Co., which operates buses in Greenock, Gourock and Port Glasgow, under statutory powers. It was claimed by the Greenock company that, in entering into the agreement with the education committee, Mr. Doig acted in breach of an agreement between the defendant and the plaintiff, which contained a .restrictive clause.
The interim interdict restrains Mr. Doig from operating within the Greenock concern's bus areal as defined by the Greenock and Port Glasgow Tramway Company Act, and, in particular, from operating in the area under contract with Renfrew County Council.
GATESHEAD TO RUN TROLLEYBUSES?
GATESHEAD Town Council has decided to promote a Parliamentary Bill to take over the existing tramways in the town operated by Gateshead and District Tramways Co., Ltd. One of the proposed Bill's clauses will empower the council to operate trolleybuses on the tram routes and any other routes.
Strenuous opposition is expected.
FIRST H.S.G. BUS DOES WELL.
"A DEFINITE landmark in passen
rt ger-transport history," is the description given by the Duke of Montrose, president of the Scottish Tourist and Travel Association, of an initial run by an H.S.G. bus propelled by gas from anthracite, in a telegram forwarded to the Minister of Transport.
The telegram stated that the Highland Transport Co., Ltd., under the chairmanship of Sir Alexander MacEwen, had carried through a most successful run, from Inverness to Dornoch, of a 32-seater producer-gas bus on public service.
Included in the party which went on the trial run were the Duke of Montrose, Sir Alexander MacEwen, Provost Hugh Mackenzie, Inverness, Major MacDonald, of • Gilfords (H.S.G.), Ltd., and Mr. Frank Fowke, managing director of the Highland Transport Co., Ltd.. At a dinner held afterwards, Sir Alexander MacEwen expressed satisfaction at the manner in which the vehicle had performed.
TRIED TO SERVE NATIONAL NEED
CARRYING of workmen from Blackpool to the munition works in course of construction at Euxton, Chorley, had a sequel at Blackpool Police Court, on Friday last, when Enterprise Motors (Blackpool), Ltd„ was summoned in two instances for using a public-service vehicle as an express carriage without a road service licence.
Mr. A. L. Ashton stated that the defendant had operated a service from Blackpool to the munition works. Workmen were carried at Is. 6d. per head per day, and the money was collected by an employee of Sir Lindsay Parkinson and Co., ready for handing over to the defendant company.
James Allen, managing director of Enterprise Motors, gave evidence that he started the service at the request of Sir Lindsay Parkinson and Co., and entered into a contract with that company. He stopped the service so soon as he knew that he was doing something irregular.
In defence. Mr. J. K. Lawson said that Sir Lindsay Parkinson and Co. and other contractors needed skilled workmen. A great number of these came from Blackpool and, without the defendant's service, had to travel very early by train and walk about three miles from Euxton.
Ribble Motor. Services, Ltd., was stated to have complained about Enterprise Motors.
" Whatever may be the correct interpretation of the Act," said Mr. Lawson, "here is a man who has been trying to do good. He was asked by Parkinson's to cater for the men . and he has been trying, in effect, to serve a national need, His service was taken away from him and given to a big combine."
The magistrates imposed a fine of 10s. in each case.
ANOTHER TROLLEYBUS PLAN.
NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE City Council is applying to the Ministry of Transport for consent to put trolley buses in service on another 16 routes.