Operating Aspects of Passenger Transport
Page 45
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MINIMUM PRICES FOR COACH PARTIES
"THE introduction of fixed minimum 1 prices for motor-coach, private-hire and contract parties has been agreed upon by operators in a number of districts in Yorkshire at meetings held under the auspices of the NorthEastern Division of the C.M.U.A.
A schedule of prices has been put into operation already in the Leeds area. Agreement to introduce similar schedules has been reached by operators at Bradford, York, and in the Heavy Woollen District and Spen Valley, and it is aimed to extend price stabilization to all important centres in the county.
The scheme embraces a wide range of destinations, and it is provided that in the case of journeys not in the schedules prices shall be on a mileage basis. The prices in respect of destinations listed in the schedules are on a per-seat basis.
These excursion and tour fares are at the same level as before the war, but their adoption for private-hire and contract parties represents a substantial increase on the general average of prices for this class of traffic before the war.
The schedule already printed for the Leeds district stipulates that the minimum number of passengers for which quotations will be made for coaches of various seating capacities is as follows :-18 for a 20-seater, 23 for a 25seater. 24 for a 26-seater, 28 for a 30-seater, 28 for a 32-seater, 30 for a 34-seater, 34 for a 36-seater, and 34 for a 37-seater. Every seat must be paid for, and in the event of the party exceeding the minimum the extra seats must also be paid for.
MANCHESTER'S FARES APPLICATION INVESTIGATED
Pl.A T Manchester, the corporation
transport department estimates for 0)0,000 additional revenue by shortening the average penny stage on the passenger services to approximately one mile. Sir William Chamberlain, as Regional Transport Commissioner, held an inquiry at Manchester, last week, at which :the corporation submitted its application in detail and 22 objectors were called upon to state their case.
District councils of neighbouring areas were included amongst those who had lodged objections, also the Communist Party and the City Elected Auditor, who although his title to appear as auditor. was questioned, was heard as the representative of ratepayers. The main issues were that workpeople and others could not afford the extra travel expenses and that any loss on the transport service should be met by other means. For the Communists it was contended that the service should be on much the same basis as health services, and be subsidized from the rates. Although not going so far
in this direction, a considerable body of opinion was strongly in favour of all extra burden being relieved from the travelling public, who in the past, through these transport services, had relieved the rates to the extent of £1,144,132.
Sir William did not say that he would grant the application, but assuming thai he did so there would be periodical tests to see that the actual position was as disclosed and there might follow variations of the conditions on the licence.
LONDON BUSES FOR LIVERPOOL?
LINTER POOL Passenger Transport Committee recently considered a proposal that the corporation should buy from the London Passenger Transport Board a fleet of used buses, The vehicles are needed to provide transport facilities for workers at new factories on the outskirts of the city. The proposal is to buy about 60 double-deckers and, although they are second-hand. one has only to have a knowledge of the efficient manner in which London Transport maintains its buses to feel convinced that they are still in serviceable condition.
HARMONY REACHED AT GLASGOW THERE will be a considerable 1 improvement in the Glasgow municipal bus and tram services as a result of the agreement which has been reached between the management of the transport department and officials of the local branch of the Transport and 'General Workers' Union. The settlement on the question of running schedules provides that during May. June and July the ordinary running time for journeys should apply, and that in August the black-out timetable should become operative at 9 p.m., and in the succeeding months gradied adaptation should be made as the days become shorter.
The approval of the corporation will have to be obtained, but it is expected that it will be immediately given, and the intention to resort to the National Industrial Council has been abandoned.
LIQUID FUEL AND PASSENGER VEHICLES USING GAS
CONCERNING fuel rations for p.s.v. %.-"operators who convert some of their vehicles to run on producer and other alternative gases, the Minister has advised the C.M.U.A. of an agreement with the Secretary for Mines that, if additional mileage be operated by the converted vehicles on services authorized under the Road Traffic Acts or under a Defence Permit, no reduction will be made in the amount of liquid fuel previously issued, by reason only that some part of the fleet has been converted.
Where part of an operator's fleet consists of gas vehicles, this will not prejudice consideration on its merits of any application for the issue of liquid fuel for the necessary expansion of any essential service run on such fuel, WEIGHT OF PUBLICSERVICE VEHICLES AFTER a careful investigation, particularly by the manufacturers, it has been found that the additional 10 cwt allowed for public-service vehicles because of the heavier metals now used, especially in the construction of bodies, is not sufficient, and the C.M.U.A. is endeavouring to obtain a further concession of 10 cwt, in respect of additional chassis and tyre weights, particularly where heavier tyres are required.
COACHING INDUSTRY KEEPS FLAG FLYING
BY maintaining the continuity of its annual celebrations to commemorate the opening of its Victoria Coach Station, London Coastal Coaches, Ltd., served, on the occasion of its recently held eighth anniversary, to make it clear that, despite war-time difficulties and restrictions, the coaching industry is still very much alive, and agents and
operators Were well represented. In fact, good progiess was recorded in the past year in the face of petrol restrictions, the black-nut and a winter of unusual severity. Although many passengers have to be refused at busy times, essential services are being Maintained to all parts of Great Britain.
On the occasion of this year's anniversary, the opportunity was taken to bring together many of the publicity officers of 'companiesoperating from the Victoria Cca.ch Station, and the result should provide a valuable stimulus to the industry's efforts to retain the public's goodwill in war-time and to entrench itself in preparation for the return of peace, when coach travel should enjoy a tremendous fillip.
MORE STANDING PASSENGERS IN TROLLEYBUSES?
WE learn that permission is being sought from the Ministry, of Transport to allow eight standing passengers in trolleybuses, instead of the five persons at present permitted. In some London areas, where peak loads are high, such a concession will be readily appreciated and, where the headway between vehicles is short, it will mean that considerably more passengers per hour can be carried on the 70-seater ye/Ades.
FIRST TAXI FLEET ON GAS
AGAS-DRIVEN taxi fleet is now being operated in Birmingham by Warwick Hire, Ltd., and it is claimed to be the first of its kind in the country. So far eight taxis have already been equipped for gas fuel and it is hoped eventually to equip a total
of 40 vehicles. Each filling of gas enables a taxi to travel for about 15 to 20 miles. For longer runs, when the supply of gas runs out, the driver can change over to his normal petrol supply.