LATEST NEWS FROM THE TRAFFIC AREAS
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APPEAL DECISIONS AS DRAFT ORDERS.
IN connection with the banning of coaches from Central London and the restriction of picking-up points, we understand that thd Minister of Transport proposes to issue his decisions on the appeals of operators named in the second report of the Amulree Committee, in the form of draft Orders, and the appellants and objectors will be given an opportunity of making representations regarding them.
HIS findings on individual appeals will be -announced in groups, and reasonably long notice will be given of their coming into force.
At the hearing of an appeal on Tuesday last, Mr. A. T. V. Robinson stated that decisions on appeals raising questions similar to those involved in the Grey Coaches case could not be delayed pending the result of action on that case in the Court of Appeal. The reason given was that the Grey Coaches appeal was not an agreed test case.
HALIFAX NOT TO SELL TRANSPORT UNDERTAKING.
A STATEMENT in a morning news.
paper that negotiations arc taking place for the sale of Halifax Corporation's tramways undertaking to a large company is not borne out by inquiries. During a discussion at a meeting of the tramways committee on the position of the undertaking, a suggestion was made that it would simplify matters if the whole undertaking could be sold, but that was simply an expression of opinion. It is certain that any such proposal would be strongly opposed.
Last year there was a loss of £10,000 on the undertaking, and this year a sum of £10,000 has been budgeted for to meet any further loss. A special sub-committee has been appointed to consider the financial aspects of the undertaking. No decision has yet been made with regard to the appointment of a tramways manager in succession to the late lkfr. W. Young, who died recently.
NEW MANAGER FOR WEST MON. BOARD.
MR. R. T. BROWN, the traffic assist ant to the South Wales Traffic Commissioners since the Road Traffic Act came into force, has been appointed manager of the West Mon. Joint Omnibus Board, in succession to Mr. Goode.
At the Newport sitting of the Commissioners, Mr. Daniel Hopkin, counsel to the South Wales Bus Proprietors Association, thanked Mr. Brown for the assistance he had always given to bus operators and wished him success. Mr. A. T. James, K.C., chairman, congratulated Mr. Brown on securing the appointment.
APPEAL DECISION DEFERRED.
A FORMAL decision on the appeals of several operators from London has been deferred by the Minister of Transport.
Edward Rilhnan's Saloon Coaches, Ltd.; Sunset Pullman Coaches, Ltd.; New Empress Saloons, Ltd. ; Westcliffon-Sea Motor Services, Ltd.; and Amalgamated Omnibus Services and Supplies, Ltd., appealed against the 1144 condition imposed by the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner that a minimum single fare of 1s. and a minimum return fare of is. 6d. be charged on certain routes, in so far as the Metropolitan Area is concerned.
The Minister states that he is not prepared to give a formal decision on the question until he has been able to decide the matters of excluding coaches from Central London and limiting picking-up points. When all the questions raised on the appeals are determined, he is to order the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner to reduce to and 9d., respectively, the minimum single and return fares.
STOKE LOSES FARES APPEAL.
THE Minister of Transport has dis missed the appeal of Stoke-on-Trent Corporation against the decision of the West Midland Traffic Commissioners in permitting operators to abolish coupon fares. It will be remembered that, as the result of the inspector who beard the appeal refusing to order the Potteries Electric Traction Co., Ltd., to produce its books, the corporation withdrew from the proceedings.
The Minister is satisfied that the Commissioners decided the applications " a careful and patient manner." He has no evidence of an application by Stoke-on-Trent Corporation, at the hearing on January 5, for the production of operators' books, and he poiifts out that no attempt was made at the inquiry to tender evidence of such an application. .
Stoke Corporation is to pay the costs of the inquiry.
" FRIVOLOUS" APPLICATIONS.
AN admonition was administered by Sir HavilandRiley, chairman of the Eastern Traffic Commissioners, a few days ago, to an operator who was considered to have made a " frivolous " application for a licence. It appears that a similar application by him was refused in December last, and that the circumstances had not since changed. It had been necessary for objectors to travel a considerable distance, and Sir R. Riley sympathized with them in their annoyance. "VARSITY EXPRESS" TO TAKE OVER "ACME PULLMAN"?
APPLICATIONS to the Eastern Traffic Commissioners to alter and increase services on two routes from Cambridge to London, via Bishop's Stortford and via Ware, and on a route from Newmarket to Bishop's Stortford, were made last week by Varsity Express Motors, Ltd., Cambridge. The applications were contingent upon the transfer to the company of the services operated by Acme Pullman Services, Ltd.
The latter concern's services are still being operated under a Transitory Provisions Order, pending the result of an appeal against a decision of the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner. The Eastern Commissioners stated that their decision would be deferred until the result of the appeal was known.
On behalf of the Varsity Express undertaking, it was stated that, during the year ended June 30, 1932, 58,002 passengers were carried on the Cam
bridge-London route, via Bishop's Stortford, the receipts amounting to £9,995. These figures compare with 50,977 and £9,157 respectively for the year ended December 31, 1930.
On the route from Cambridge to London, via Ware, the passengers num7 bered 62,691 during the former period, the receipts amounting to £11,996, corresponding statistics for 1930 being 58,335 and £11,423 respectively. Receipts of £1,048 were obtained from 10,480 passengers, who travelled at the cheap-day-return fare qf 4s., the mileage in this connection. being 16,951.
SUNDAY EXCURSIONS OPPOSED.
THE Lord's Day Observance Society of Scotland is protesting to the Northern Scotland Traffic Commissioners against the licensing of Sunday excursions. Whilst congratulating the Highland Airways, Ltd., on its enterprise in inaugurating an air service in the Highlands, the Society strongly objects to the proposal to operate it on Sundays.
: The Commissioners have, however, over-ruled the objection and the Highland Transport Co., Ltd., has been licensed to run excursions on Sundays.. "WESTERN TRANSPORT" LICENCES TRANSFERRED. ON Friday last, Crosville Motor Ser vices, Ltd., applied to the. NorthWestern Traffic Commissioners for the transfer of licences from the Western Transport Co., Ltd. As we reported in last week's issue, a merger between these two undertakings will occur on May 1. The licences were granted.
Mr. C. C. Taylor, managing director of the Crosville concern, stated that the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. held 48 per cent, of the shares in the company, whilst it was also associated with the Tilling-B.A.T. group.
It is anticipated that the receipts of the Crosville organization will be in the neighbourhood of £1,000,000 a year. The capital is £1,000,000, whilst employment will be provided for 3,000 people in connection with the operation of over 300 vehicles.
A. short time ago an agreernept was reached between Chester Corporation and Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., the company being prepared to accept exactly the same conditions as those on which the Western Transport Co., Ltd., operated its services into Chester.
COMPLETE AGREEMENT BETWEEN ROAD AND RAIL. AN application by Newcastle Corporation, Wakefield Motors, Ltd., and the Tynemouth District Electric Traction Co. for an increase in bus fares on the Neweastle-Tynemouth route was considered by the Northern Traffic Commissioners, sitting at Newcastle.
Mr. Stagg, who made the application, said that the London and North-Eastern Railway Co., for the first time, was in agreement, and proposed also to. increase its fares. It was the first case, Mr. Stagg said, of complete co-ordination. Wallsend Corporation objected. Mr. Stagg stated that co-ordination with the railway company would go farther. It was intended to introduce interavailable tickets. The Commissioners reserved their decision.
DEARER FARES SOUGHT.
THE Northern Traffic Commissioners will be busy, shortly, considering numerous applications from bus proprietors for increases in fares due to the increased price of petrol. Applications for the revision of fares have been made by the County Motor Services, Ltd., in respect of its coaches between Newcastle and Whitley Bay, Clousden Hill and Killingworth Village.
Newcastle Corporation is seeking to increase fares from id. to id. on several routes, while Messrs. H. W. Hunter and Sons are applying for permission to increase the fares on the North ShieldsSeaton Delaval route. A halfpenny increase in fares on nine stages is being sought by Mr. Thomas Hutehinson in respect of the Esh Winning-South Shields route.
LOWESTOFT LOCAL CONDITION.
IN connection with its application to the Eastern Traffic Commissioners for a backing for a licence to operate excursions and tours in that area, including Lowestoft, Varsity Express Motors, Ltd., Cambridge, has agreed to comply with Lowestoft Corporation's condition that passengers should not be picked up or set down along a certain part of the main road within the borough. The corporation offers no objection to the picking up and setting down of passengers at the car park, Battery Green, or at the Marina.
LETCHWORTH TO RUN BUSES? LETCHWORTH Urban District Council is being pressed to inaugurate a bus service from the outskirts of the district to the shopping centre. It is felt that there is a definite demand for such a project.
CENTRALIZING DERBY BUSES.
ALL bus traffic in Derby is to be cen tralized at the new station in the Aforledge, which will shortly be completed. By this means, it is hoped to reduce traffic congestion.
MORE OILERS FOR CARDIFF.
CARDIFF Corporation is to purchase new bodies at attractive terms for eight existing bus chassis and oil engines are to be installed. The vehicles are said ta have been purchased, four years ago, from Lincoln Corporation.
With an average annual mileage of 50,000, it was expected to save £321. per bus per annum in operating costs, as compared with a petrol bus, but this estimate was made before the announcement of the Budget, on Tuesday last. Since the vehicles (32-seaters) were purchased by Cardiff each has averaged a mileage of 121,742.
NEW SERVICE FOR CHESTER?
THE transport committee of Chester Corporation has authorized the general manager to provide a service to the Chester Races, and to apply to the Traffic Commissioners for consent to charge a fare of 3d. If this fare be sanctioned, the manager is to obtain tenders from Birkenhead Corporation's motor department and Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., for the hire of four double-deck bases.
COACHES IN RAIL TOUR.
COACHES will play an important Part in the new scheme of the London and North-Eastern Railway Co. for the operation of a cruising train during the period from June 17-23. The proposed journey is from London to Scotland and back, and extensive use will be made of coaches for touring during the daytime, night travel being by rail. The inclusive charge is £20. NORTHERN COMMISSIONERS REPT TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES, A REPLY has been addressed, on be half of the Northern Traffic Cornmissionera, to several North. Riding local authorities on various questions raised at a conference between municipalities and the Commissioners, at Northallerton, on April 1. The conference was reported in our issue dated April 7.
It was suggested that, in rural areas, it might be possible to permit a lower standard of efficiency of public service vehicles than in the more densely popu
lated industrial districts. The Commissioners point out that they are obliged to administer the Road Traffic Act according to the statutory regulations.
It was also suggested that a certain amount of elasticity of time-tables on rural services should be allowed, but the Commissioners reply that the publicis entitled to expect that a service should be run in accordance with the' time-table.
The Commissioners further state that the removal of protection for certain undertakings would inevitably lead to applications from all quarters for corresponding concessions, resulting in chaos.
The Commissioners feel that a great deal can be done by municipal authorities acting in co-operation with operators, particularly on matters of* local interest. It is added : "The chairman proposes that the Commissioners suspend action until he has heard from those authorities the result of the suggested ncgotiationa."
GREEN LINE ABSORBS QUEEN LINE. , AS from Wednesday last, April 26, Green Line Coaches, Ltd., has taken over Queen Line Coaches and Baldock Motor Transport., Ltd., 74, Park Hill, London, S.W.4. We understand that, for the moment, the services are to be continued as at present. The licences' have already been transferred from the Queen Line concern to Green Line Coaches, Ltd., the fleet of the latter being increased by six A.E.C. Regal coaches as a result of the deal.
CENTENARY OF STEAM BUS.
THE memory of Walter Hancock, who was the first man to construct a successful steam vehicle for public service in a city, was honoured, last night, by a joint meeting of the Omnibus Society and the Newcomen Society for the Study of the History of Engineering and Technology, in London.
Mr. H. W. Dickinson, president of the Newcomen Society, occupied the chair, and Mr. Charles E. Lee, C.I.Mar.E., Assoc.Inst.T., read a paper dealing with Hancock's famous Enterprise steam bus, which commenced operation in London on April 22, 1833. The history of this and other similar vehicles constructed by Hancock were dealt with at length.
Mr. C. F. Deady Marshall, M.A., M.I.Loco.E., read a paper on motorbuses a century ago, dealing in greater detail with their technical features than with the operating side.
RAISED FARES PROTEST.
JARROW Corporation has decided again to protest to the Northern Traffic Commissioners against their decision to increase fares between Jarrow and Tyne Dock. L.P.T. BOARD PROGRESS.
THE London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee will be represented by Sir Henry Jackson, M.P., on the panel of appointing trustees, whose duty it is to select members of the London Passenger Transport Board. It is expected that Lord Ashfield will be the first chairman of the Board, with Mr. Frank Pick as deputy.
It is understood that Jul:, 1 has been fixed as the date for the transfer of the Underground group to the Board, whilst independent concerns that are not being taken over, must apply, on October 1 next, for consent to continue their services. Presumably, the `" consent" will be in the nature of that given to municipal authorities to run services outside their boundaries.
It is further believed that January 1, 1934, is the date proposed for the inauguration of the monopoly of the Board.
S.E. COMMISSIONERS TO SIT IN LONDON AGAIN.
HAVING anticipated the granting of the Royal Assent to the London Passenger Transport Bill, the SouthEastern Traffic Commissioners have arranged to hold their next public sitting at Caxton House, Tothill Street, S.W.1, in the court room, which has, for the past year, been used by the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner. It will be remembered that, until their decision with regard to Mr. Mears, of Sittingbourne, was queried in the High Court as being ultra vires, the SouthEastern Traffic Commissioners held a number of public sittings in the Metropolitan Area, despite the fact that the Road Traffic Act laid it down that the Commissioners of every Traffic Area should sit at places within their own areas. MOTORBUSES FOR TORQUAY?
IT is stated that an agreement has been reached between Paignton Urban District Council and the Torquay Tramways Co., Ltd., under which powers will be sought to replace trams by motorbuses, instead of by trolley-buses, and to inaugurate new motorbus services in Torquay and Paignton. A formal agreement will be prepared later.