THE LATEST NEWS OF IMPORTANT EVENTS
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UNEMPLOYMENT AS GROUND OF OBJECTION.
OPPOSITION is still being offered by Bedwas and Machen Urban District Council to the transport of workmen by bus from other districts to Bedwas for employment. The council regularly opposes application to the South Wales Commissioners for licences for such services.
An application by Mr. D. T. Breese, Penydarren, Merthyr, to run work men's bus services between Merthyr and Bedwas was opposed both by the local authority and the Great Western -Railway Co. The council objected on the ground of local unemployment, whilst the railway company contended that the proposed service was unnecessary.
The Commissioners announced that • they intended to discuss the application. The principle was raised in an important appeal some time ago. HOLIDAY RESORT WANTS COACHES.
NY coach owners in the North
Western Area have received from the New Brighton Trade Development Society, Ltd., a letter asking them to offer suggestions for making New Brighton more popular with road passengers. The Society has under consideration a scheme for giving prizes to the coach owners and drivers who laeng the greatest number of peop,:le.
JOINT MUNICIPAL TRANSPORT BOARD FOR BRIGHTON?
YESTERDAY, Brighton Town Council was scheduled to consider a resolution in favour of a conference with East and West Sussex County Councils and the Hove, Portslade, Southwick and Shoreham authorities to formulate a scheme for a joint transport board. One of the proposals is stated to include the purchase of certain services from Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., and Thomas Tilling, Ltd.
The general purposes committee of Brighton Corporation has had reports from the transport committee, the tramways manager and Mr. A. C. Baker, Birmingham Corporation's transport manager. The tramways manager states that the trams have been running for 32 years and have been maintained out of revenue. . Although he admits that petrol-engined buses are popular with the public, he maintains that the fares are already high and are likely to increase.
He also states that trolleybus fares are higher than those relating to trams, but that the former type of vehicle would be better able to deal with Brighton's heavy summer traffic than would motorbuses. The report also deals with oilers—not altogether favourably.
Mr. Baker points out that Brighton is unique inasmuch as the corporation has never operated any form of transport other than trams, but has, without opposition, allowed private cornpanies_ to establish motorbus services. He commends the modern oiler.
AUTOMATIC CONTROL AT BUS STATIONS.
A SYSTEM for the automatic con
trol of the departures of buses from stations has been invented by Mr. Robert Brown, a Dunfermline bus driver. In a station where buses leave for various destinations, a bell rings both at the stand and in the waiting room. The particular route is illuminated on a board two minutes before starting time. When the actual departure time arrives, another bell rings and a green light appears in front of the vehicles due to depart. A couple of additional warnings is also provided for the driver.
M. OF T. DISAGREES WITH APPEAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE Minister of Transport disagrees with the recommendations of the inspector who heard the appeals of the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., London and North Eastern Railway Co. and London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. against the Southern Scotland Traffic Commissioners' decision to allow Mr. W. M. Herd to run circular tours from Edinburgh.
The appellants contended that the operation of these tours would cause wasteful competition, but the Commissioners considered that, in this instance, the claims of competitors did not carry such weight as would be the case if the question of the protection B42 of regular road or rail services were at issue, The inspector thought that, although the licensee did not strictly establish a case of need, the purpose of the licensing system was not to establish a monopoly for existing licence holders, and that the Commissioners were the best judges of the merits of the ca,Se.
The inspector upheld the Commissioners' action, but the Minister overruled it, finding that there was no suggestion of a monopoly—" with potential disadvantages to the public "—or that other services were inadequate.
UNITED COUNTIES CO.'S NEW ACQUISITION.
WE understand that the United Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., has acquired the stage, express and other services of Frost's Motors, Ltd., Kettering, and the change of administration will commence next Sunday. Early application will be made to the
East Midland Traffic Commissioners for certain modifications to give an improved time-table. Thirteen buses and the staff are to be taken over, but Frost's premises in Hallwood Road, Kettering, are not being transferred.
The local services centre mainly around Kettering and Corby, and the express services are from Market Earborough and Desborough to Yarmouth, Mablethorpe and Hunstanton. INDEPENDENT AND COMBINE OPERATORS TO CO-ORDINATE? I F applications to the Traffic Commis sioners by Fingland's Hire Cars, Ltd., and Majestic Express Motors, Ltd., succeed, these companies will, during the winter months, operate a coordinated service from Manchester to London. This development is particularly interesting in view of the fact that the Majestic concern is owned by the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., and the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd.—two railway associated organizations — whilst Fingland's Hire Cars, Ltd., is independent.
It is proposed that, if at any departure time the total number of passengers to be conveyed on the combined Fingland and Majestic services does not necessitate the operation of more than one vehicle, only one machine should be run by either of the operators, by arrangement between them.
The Fingland concerns asks permis sion to operate over an alternative route and to introduce alternative timetables and fare-tables, in accordance with those now licensed for Majestic Express Motors, Ltd. These arrangements are proposed to operate from the first Sunday in October until the Sunday preceding Whit-Sunday. It is .sought, also, to reduce the return fare on the night service from 25s. to 23s.
The applications in the Metropolitan Area are scheduled to be heard at Romney House, Marsham Street, London, S.W.1, on November 8.
IMPORTANT FARES MEETING NEXT FRIDAY.
WE learned, on Wednesday evening, that the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association is arranging a meeting of operators at Holborn Restaurant, London, next Friday, at 2,30 p.m., to discuss the important question of coach fares and the procedure for securing modifications of existing rates,
M. OF T. REJECTS POOLE TRANSPORT AGREEMENT.
I T is reported that the Ministry of Transport has refused to approve the proposed agreement between Poole Corporation and Hants and Dorset Motor Services. Ltd., for the provision by the latter of a bus system in the borough. The buses were to have been put into service when the agreement between Poole and Bournemouth Corporation expired in June next. The SouthEastern Traffic Commissioners were to have held a sitting at Bournemouth, on October 16, to hear applications by the Hants and Dorset concern, but • this was cancelled.
Bournemouth Corporation was prepared to run trolleybuses into Poole, but this offer was rejected.
It is reported that the Ministry's opinion was that the municipalities had taken too localized a view of the subject. A meeting is shortly to be arranged between Poole and Bourne mouth Corporations, including, if possible, the Christchurch authority, with the object of investigating the transport problems of the area as a whole.
SWINDON'S BUS LOSS.
ALTHOUGII a grass profit of £3,443 was made, Swindon Corporation's bus undertaking rare at a net loss of £6,124 in the year ended March 31 last. Interest on loans absorbed £3,354 and sinking-fiend charges £.7,213. Over 7.000,004 passengers were carried.
MUNICIPALITIES TO SHARE PURCHASED SERVICE.
A T a recent meeting of the transport
committee of Rotherham Corporation, the transport manager reported that Sheffield Joint Omnibus Committee had purchased from A. Kitson, Ltd., the company's Sheffield-Thorpe Hesley service. He had communicated with the general manager of the Joint Committee with a view to the acquisition by the corporation of an interest in the route, and the suggestion had been made that the corporation should purchase a one-third share of the service. Rotherham Transport Committee decided to apply to the Traffic Commissioners for consent and licences to operate on the route.
APPEAL AGAINST BAN ON SPECIAL SERVICE.
A N appeal against the Eastern Traffic Pi.Commissioners' refusal to grant Butlin's Auto Cars, Ltd., a licence for a special type of service from the New Pier, Felixstowe, to the company's amusement park a short distance away, was heard at Ipswich last Friday. There were several objectors.
The appeal was made on the ground that the Commissioners did not give adequate weight to the special nature of the service, but applied the principles of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, as though it were an ordinary service. It was proposed to use toast-rack vehicles.
For one of the objectors, it was pointed out that a service operated for some years along the Sea Road (the route proposed to be used by the Butlin vehicles) was, in 1932, stopped by the Commissioners on the ground of congestion.
Felixstowe Urban District Council submitted that the application was not to run public-service vehicles, but to provide a mobile advertisement. In reply, figures were submitted showing that thousands of persons had been carried by a similar service at Skegness.
LATEST STATION PROJECTS.
rE construction of a bus station y the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., on A site in Chester Street, Bradford, has been approved in principle by a sub-committee of Bradford Corporation.
The need for an official, efficient bus station is being urged upon Liverpool Corporation. A site at the junction of Loudon Road and Pembroke Place is suggested.
Birmingham Corporation is promoting a Bill to obtain power to inaugurate new trolleybus services. NEW LICENSING RULES FOR DRIVERS AND CONDUCTORS.
ffilIE Minister of Transport has issued a draft of the Public Service Vehicles (Drivers' and Conductors' Licences) Regulations, 1034, which will come into force on January 1 next, and revoke the corresponding regulations of 1931. The main modifications to the Regulations were forecast in The Commercial Motor on August 24.
Amongst the main provisions is one requiring an applicant for a publicservice-vehicle driver's licence to show that he is acquainted with the Highway Code, instead of proving that he holds an ordinary driver's licence. The fee for a licence for less than two years will be Is., for more than two but less than three years 2s., and for three years 3s.
MORECAMBE OPERATORS' CHARITY TOUR.
TN aid of the Lord Mayor's Gresford -.I.Colliery Fund, Morecambe, Heysham and District Coach Owners Association organized, last Sunday, a tour to Reswick-on-Derwentwater at the special fare of 4s., as against the ordinary rate of 7s. Gd. Each member supplied a coach and the whole of the receipts were handed over to the fund, there being no deduction for expenses. The Association, the secretary of which is Mr. Morrison Stansfield, has 100-percent, membership and is affiliated to the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association.
LONDON-SOUTH WALES WINTER PROGRAMME.
THE winter programme of the Black and White and Red and White associated services from London to South Wales is now announced. From October 15 to May 13 next, six departures are being made daily, including Sundays, from the London Terminal Coach Station and from the Victoria Coach Station. Connections are provided from all parts of South Wales and the west of England.
BAN ON DOUBLE-DECKERS.
AC NUS County Road Board has decided to object to the running of double-deck buses on four routes. The vehicles were said to be 13 ft. 4 ins. high, whilst there were some bridges 14 ft. to 14 ft. 8 ins. high. The chairman considered that there was not sufficient margin of safety.
COACHES CARRY OVER 50 PER CENT. OF TATTOO PATRONS.
QF the 113,704' persons who attended Tirlevorth Tattoo during August Bank Holiday week, by far the largest number (60,200) travelled by coach, the railways carrying 12,604 passengers. These figures are contained in a statement issued a few ;days ago.
The biggest number of coaches (731) came from Wiltshire, carrying 14,624) passengers, whilst the smallest number came from Glamorganshire, Buckinghamshire, Lancashire and, surprisingly enough, London and suburbs, each of which contributed one coach with 29' persons. TROLLEYBUSES OR OILERS FOR LEICESTER?
AA CONTROVERSY concerning the merits of txolleybuses and oilengincd buses as substitutes for trams is in progress in Leicester, where the tramways manager, Mr. H. Pool, has
reported in favour of oilers. Mr. J. Mould, the city electricity engineer, has issued a reply to Mr. Pool's report in which he states that identical services of trolleybuses or oilers, each providing 8,680 seats at peak periods• and covering 4,070,000 vehicle-miles per annum, would cost 25.6d. and 29d. respectively per 100 seat-miles.
Mr. Mould refers to the superior accelerative powers of trolleybuses and states that, in Derby, the trolleyhuses last year averaged 9.25 m.p.h., whilst the oilers averaged 8.67 m.p.h., the cost of wages per bus-mile being, respectively, 3,73d. and 4.19d. He estimates that the total annual cost of running trolleybuses would be £260,615 and oilers £266,180.
COMMISSIONERS' COURT USED TO SECURE £100,
AT a recent sitting, the East Midland Commissioners refused an application by the Lincolnshire Road 'Car Co., Ltd., to run a service from Grantham to Gonerby, at present operated by Mr. A. R. GirdIestone. A short time ago the Commissioners refused an application by Mr. J. Bland to take over this service, which, he said, he had bought for £600.
It was stated for the Road Car concern that the business was re-offered for sale to that company and an agreement was entered into for its purchase for £800. Mr. Girdlestone stated that he had arranged to give Mr. Bland £100 of that sum, but the Lincolnshire company knew nothing of this.
Mr. J. H. Stirk, chairman of the Commissioners, said that the Court was being used as an implement -to secure £100 for Mr. Bland, and he did not propose to have time wasted in that way.
74 LEYLANDS FOR LONDON.
ITVE learn that London Transport has VV ordered 74 Leyland Cub buses for its Country Services Department. It is expected that the bodies will be built by Short Bros. (Rochester and Bedford), Ltd.
GLASGOW REVENUE RECORD.
GLASGOW Corporation established a record on October 1:3, when the combined revenue from buses, tramcars and subway totalled £11,669, the largest sum ever drawn in one day in the history of the transport department.
JOURNEYS LIMITED ON EXPRESS SERVICE..
AN important point concerning tho limitation of vehicle-journeys was raised on appeal by Messrs. W. Cooper, J. A. Terrington and J.W. Smith (trading as North Manchester Motor Omni
bus Joint Services), last week. The firm appealed against the North-Western Traffic Commissioners' action in applying the Minister of Transport's Appeal .Order No. 9 to a daily express service from Manchester to Blackpool, operating under full ticket 'privileges.
The Order, which limits the number of vehicle-journeys to that run in 1930-81, was submitted to apply only to excursions and tours. This was said to be the first occasion on which it had been imposed on a service of the class run by the appellants. The case was adjourned.
CONTRACT-CARRIAGE PROSECUTIONS SUCCEED.
I NTERVSTING contract-carriage pro secutions were brought at Bridlington against East Yorkshire Motor Services, Ltd., and United Automobile Services, Ltd. It appears that the East Yorkshire concern's sports club organized a dance, and ticket holders were allowed to travel on certain buses free of charge. The prosecution contended that the companies were paid for the hire of the vehicles, which were, therefore, express carriages.
For the defence it was explained that the club approached the companies and requested a concession. Instead of making a donation, the concerns provided buses, on condition that the club paid the running expenses. A fine of Al, with £2 2s. costs, was imposed on
each company. •