MOTOR COACH DOINGS AND DEVELOPMENTS.
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Matters of Topical Interest to Proprietors of Chars-a-bancs.
Coach Owners at Dinner.
Representatives of 36 Companies Meet at Chester.
THE LIVERPOOL District, Cheshire, and North Wales Char-a-banos Owners' Association held their first dinner at the Bars Hotel, Chester, and, attended by the representatives of some 36 firma of motor coacndi owners, was a gratifying success. Replying to the toast of the president, proposed by Mr. G. W. Browne (Llandudno), Mr. T. Garnett (Northwich) said that in the Association their members had control of 500 vehicles, and they would probably have another hundred before next season's business commenced. The motor coach had come to stay. People were clamouring for rides into the country and to the seaside, and, railway facilities being not so congenial, they would not alone deal with this demand, as in the past. All owners know the outcry there had been against chars-i-banes, and that some people wanted to keep them off the by-roads on to the main roads. The position was awkward, but he would like to emphasize this point, that when they conveyed passengers they were carried in an /orderly way. It was for the owners to put forth their best endeavours to get hack the good opinion of those who had formed bad ones. He knew that in. the past things had not been all they might have desired, and prchably that circumstance emanated from the fact that people were held down clirri.ng the war. He did not think there was a sinele owner prese'd w.1w Aid not desire that they should educate the poopae, sad thatthey SILO Li
their united efforts as an association, to
get legislation passed in the near future to snake provision for these holiday makers. There were many subjects to--'oe considered at their meetings. When they went to Rhyl they found that businese there was quite different from that of Chester—the conditions were not analogous, and these had to be allowed for. Ile believed, from statements made to him by sense of the most prominent men in the transport world, that motor coach owners had been blamed for what they had not been guilty of. His work for the Association had been a labour of love and
they wanted. to help every mender as best they could. They were not profiteers; they simply wanted a fair return for their outlay end for the services they endeavoured to give the community in well-conducted tours.
The toast of the guests was replied to by Mr. Wilkes (Royal Red Coaches, Lleindudno), Mr. Shaw (treasurer), and Mr. Griffiths (Chief Constable of Cheshire).
Mr. ghaer hoped that as the Association developed it would become more natior.al in scope. Referring to the old question of oil, he spoke enthusiastically of the potentialities of the internal-combustion engine in revolutionizing branspart. He thought the Government had' their eyes on the oil question and were taking steps to ensure an adequate supply. Motor users would have to see to at that oil fuel did, not get into the hands of monopolists.
The Chief Constable of Chester said he felt sure the motor cihar-a-banes had a great future, and it was for those in authority to make provision for this modern means of transport. The railways were not going to thrive as they
had done in the past.. He spoke of the need for educating passengers to remedy such complaints as throwing bottles from the oars and throwing coppers to children. He wished the Association prosperity, and he knew they would be pleased to receive any suggestions he had to make for better services generally.
The secretory (Mr. H. R. Davis) replied to the toast of the Association, and outlined the short, history of the Association. He mentioned that at the Cattle Market, Cheater, 173 motor coaches had been counted at one time.
Mr. W. H. Furphey, (of the Coilingwood Transport Co.) said he was surprised at the good class of people who .travelled by motor char-a-bhnes and that the drivers of his company had instructions not to step at more than one licensed house on a 30 to 50 miles' journey. Fie ,asked owners to join with him in trying to do away with the publichouse call and to impress upon drivers to give Way to other traffic.. The Association enabled them to develop good feeling on the road.
Coach Owners and the C.M.U.A.
AFURTHER conference has been held at Manchester of motor coach propeietors' associations to consider the question of how to protect and advance the interests of owners. In the absence of Mr. Paine, the meeting was presided over by Mr. IL J. Sharpley, and, in addition to Mr. R. C. Reynolds (North/Western Division of the Commercial Motor Users Association), there were ads) present representatives of the Aesociae tion's Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Wigan, and East Lancashire branches. The chief purpose of the meeting was to hear from Mr. Reynolds the adva,ntogas motor coach owners might derive by joining up with the Commercial Motor Users Association. He painted out that by fusion with the C.111..U.A. there would be uniformity of action, and in explaining the functions that would have to be carried out, classified them under three headings, as follow :—(1) Matters of general interest; (2) special benefits, such as rates for haulage and ohar-esbanos outings, traffic exchange, etc. ; (3) wages and lasour questions, etc. Under the first heading, Mr. Reyn,olds said, would come the question of taking Parliamentary action through the C.M.U.A. against Bills brought. forward by local authorities, regulation of motor vehicles in regard to speed limits and axle weights, closing of roads to motor traffic, etc. The outcome of the meeting was the decision that one representative from each association shall form a committee to draft suggesticsas, etc., to be presented to a further meeting to be held as soon as possible..
Two Excellent Coaches.
THE illustration which we pablish at the top of this page shows, on the left a Karrier model K4 chassis fitted with a 30 seater coach body supplied to a South Wales user, by Potion and Crisp, Ltd., of Manchester. The photograph does not do justice to tho finish and style of the vehicle, which are excellent, whilst the colour scheme ieexceptiona.l. The new design of bonnet is admirably shown, and those who are familiar with the old type of Karrier will appreciate the improvement effected by the taper of the bonnet and tho rounded radiator. A feature which is nOticeable is the absence of crevices, nuts, bolts, etc., on the radiator, which usually ha.rbour dirt and dust, and detract from the appearance of the vehicle. The picture on the right shows an A.E.C. 45 h.p. 30-seater, owned by Express Hauliers, Ltd. This company purchased three 28 seater A.E.C. motor coaches in March, 1920, and took delivery of a further vehicle in June 1920. Each of the first three vehicles had done over 8,500 miles at the end of October, and the fourth, 7,000 to that date. No involuntary stop was experienced, and on taking down one of the engines in November, only a small carbon deposit was discovered. .Equal credit must, be apportioned to the Associated Equipment Co. and to the drivers of Express Hauliers, Ltd., for
C40 this pleasing state of affairs. Three of this company's coaches were used to convey visitors from Olympia to the White City and vice versa during the run of the recently-held Motor Show.
Reliable Service versus Rate Cutting.
ON THE previous page we illustrate a typical scene outside the premises of the Kwiok Transport Co., Ltd., of Beckside Motor Works, Lidget Green, Bradford, daring the height of the motorcoach season. The picture shows a number of coaohes loading up preparatory to visiting Scarborough and Blackpool, 11 out of 20 machines being destined for the former resort, the remainder having the latter place as their destination. As an indication of the popularity of the coach services run to these two spots, it might be mentioned that all the seats for the trips were booked singly and not by any one party. The company are staunch believers in co-opersution amongst owners, and in support of their prinoiples they have always based their charges on those drawn up by the Bradford Motor Owners' Association. They have had much undercutting of standard rates with which to contend, but they have faced this selfish policy of certain owners In a businesslike manner by giving their patrons ohs°. hate cleanliness, the utmost reliability, and the very best service in all respects. These little attentions are warmly appreciated by tourists, who will au most cakes gladly pay a little extra in order to secure the maximum of comfort.
The proprietors also give a good deal of consideration to -their drivers, who appreciate the treatment they receive, and who are for ever willing to oblige the company's clients by doing anything fur them they may be reasonably asked to undertake. The drivers sire part of the company's goodwill.
The Kwick Transport Co., Ltd., do not run. any special services, hut vary their routes to such places as 1310,
Southport, Morecambe, Grange-overSands, Windermere, Richmond, Barnard Castle, the Miseries, Nottingham, Liverpool, Buxton, and Matlock. Two-days' tours are run to Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere, Bridifirorton and Scarborough, Moreoaanbe, l3lackpool, Orange-over-Sands, and Relca.r. On the occasion of big race meetings their coaches axe in great, demand, and the company have as .a consequence catered for this branch of the business by organizing special trips to Lincoln, Wetherby, York, Doncaster, Pontefract, Catterick Bridge, Chester, Ripon, Redcar, Tlairsk, Stockton, Beverley, Manchester, and Rayd,ock Park. This list of names as sufficient to show that the company are fortunately situated in relation to many of the principal race meeting centres whieh attract large numbers of turf followers. Throughout the 1920 season the company have based their charges at the rate of 12d. per mile for journeys of less than 100 miles, and 10. per mile for trips exceeding that distance. It is. intereeting to record that the proprietors of the company are doing all in their power to aksist the char-A-banes section of the Commercial Motor Users Association which is being formed in Yorkshire, and that they intend to operate their services in 1921 at rates as set out, by the responsible committee of this organisation.
Leisurely Months for Coach Owners.
CHAP.-A-BANOS proprietors, during the leisurely winter months, seem to be devoting considerable attention to the organization and the consolidation of the interests of the trade. The Couocil of the Association for Liverpool, Chester, and North Wales,. at their last meeting, discussed several schemes for the insurance of members' vehicles, and a. committee was appointed to consider the whole question and to report to the next meeting of the council. Itegarding affiliation, letters were read from the Automobile Association and the Commercial Motor Users Association, the former stating they were unable to comply with the suggestion, and the secretary of the C.M.U.A. slot: ing that he had written headquarters on the matter. The council considered it of vital importance for local associations to be kept in touch with some national body in the interests of the trade in general. It has been decided that the council shall confine its attentions to the interests of the motor coach proprietors and not to devote its time to haulage matters.
We are always pleased to consider the experiences of coach owners for publication on our pages devoted to char-a-basics developments. To those owners, and to coach organizations, who desire to offer suggestions foe the benefit of the movement, or who may have grievances, we extend our pages for them to ventilate their views.