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Drastic Coach and Bus Decisions

28th October 1932
Page 35
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Page 35, 28th October 1932 — Drastic Coach and Bus Decisions
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

ANUMBER of decisions of the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners has caused a certain amount of antagonism between local council, .coach and bus operators mid the Commissioners. It has frequently been alleged that, by reason of the Commissioners drastic action, villages have been isolated from larger centres of popuIation,.or have, at least, been adversely affected by the sweeping curtailment of services.

Another complaint has been 'in connection with excursions and tours, the Combaissioners having decided to grant this year's applications on the basis of the returns from last year's operations. By reason of the inclement weather during the summer of 1931, a considerable number of excur sions and tours usually run was not worked, and this reacted unfavourably upon the operators concerned, who were, in our opinion, unfairly penalized for no fault of their own. A strong protest was lodged against this procedure, which was then modified, but it is said still to be unsatisfactory.

It is, therefore, gratifying to learn that the system of granting tour and excursion licences is being overhauled, and it is to be hoped that an arrangement will be arrived at whereby coach operators will be enabled to go about their lawful business without unnecessary bureaucratic interference.

As we have often remarked, the Trafdc Corn missioners have before them extremely difficult tasks, but it would appear that one or two of them are, in some cases, taking action that causes undue hardship to the independent coach and bus proprietor, who is, after all, the most suitable class of operator for certain types of service.

Hard Work Wasted.

THE higher the power of an engine and the greater the weight of a chassis, the less easy it becomes to design controls that can be operated without overtaxing the driver's strength. We have driven machines designed by men who apparently labour under the delusion that the strength of the driver is in proportion to the size of the chassis. Such vehicles, fortunately, are rare, but, nevertheless, as speeds go up and roads become more crowded so does the controllability of commercial vehicles gain in importance.

Heavy steering, sluggish gear levers, brakes and clutches that demand in their applicationthe exertion and the strength of a Hercules, are uneconomic in that they consume human energy which might well be expended more profitably and are a definite danger in causing loss of time when split seconds may mean everything.

That there is no reason why the controls of a large commercial vehicle should be unduly heavy to operate is proved by the fact that on the majority of such vehicles they are not so. It is largely a question of choosing correct layouts, suitable leverages and adequate bearing surfaces, of paying attention to lubrication, of keeping clown weights, and of avoiding excessive spring pressures. In short, the designer must exercise as much care inthis respect as in matters pertaining to performance.

It is often the neglect of one small point, such as a heavy gear-change or an awkwardly placed accelerator pedal, that spoils an otherwise admirably built vehicle. Demonstrations to prospective buyers fail in their object if it be apparent that the controls are difficult to manage.

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