Rise in Costs Not So Alarming
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I WAS very interested to read the article, "Passenger Transport Profits Trebled in 10 Years," in "The Commercial Motor" dated April 8. One thing that struck me was the rise in cost of operating, both of the municipal and of the private operators. Although the increase looks alarming in the case of municipal opera-. tors, if one works out the .relative increase, it comes to 73 per cent. in the case of municipalities and 65 per cent. in the case of companies. Your expression "but only from 8.60d. to 14.28d. in the case of private operators is not so alarming in comparison with the corporations as it seems.
It is quite reasonable to suppose that long-distance company services are in a much better position than in 1939, as, no doubt, the seats have been full up during offpeak hours, due to the greater number of people travelling longer distances by road.
" On the other hand, of course, the local operators have had to put on more and more vehicles, and these are all very expensive to run. Incidentally, I expect most operators have had difficulty in making the single-deck services pay owing to the greatly increased overall cost. This may account for the greater use of double-deck buses on country routes.
Rochetate. C. T Hurnetoce.
• REPRESENTATION WITHOUT POLITICAL PARTY TIES IN reply to the letter from Mr. Lance J. Burton, of the Transport and General Workers' Union, whilst there was, and is yet, no organization which represents the majority of the administrative and clerical staff of road haulage, my friends and I made every possible effort to obtain representative opinion on the subject.
Our object was to create an opportunity for those concerned to be represented by an organization without political party ties and which was suitable in other respects. This object has been achieved, and, in due course, we shall see whether the opportunity is appreciated. All eligible are free to join the organization of
their choice. F. BLILLEN. King's Ly nn.
BOAT-CARRYING ON THE CONTINENT wiTH reference to the report of the novel charter " journey by the Road Transport Executive carrying two lifeboats on the Continent, I would like to point out on behalf of my company that boat-carrying on the Continent is not new, this firm having carried the late
Sir Malcolm Campbell's " Bluebird " on several trips. The first was carried out in 1937, from London to Loearno and return, the route being over the famous Simplon Pass.
This boat (carried under free enterprise) was 11 ft. 6 ins, wide and 33 ft. long, complete with engine and spares. A Bedford articulated vehicle was used, manned by a driver and one extra man, and despite many difficulties arrived safely within 31 hours of schedule—and without the aid of an
interpreter! A. E ADAMS.
(For Adams Bros. (Super Transport), Ltd ) New Malden, Surrey.
THIS METHOD IS A LOOPHOLE FOR HEAD OFFICE I FEEL that Mr. R Daniell's answer to the preventive maintenance question depends too much upon the "inspector." Usually this method is a loophole for the head office.
I would also suggest that the case put by S.T.R. is one of the most difficult problems for any transport manager, and a lot depends upon the co-operation of head office. I am convinced that the answer is to be found in every vehicle being brought into workshops at head office every six or 12 months, or on mileage This plan, at least, cannot be dearer than any previous method, and workshops at the main base can be geared to meet it, especially as, sooner or later, each vehicle will
have to obtain a certificate of fitness. W. T. SEARLE. Totworth. Surrey.
BUDGET HELPS ELECTRICVEHICLE USERS THE proposed provision in the Budget. allowing 40 per cent, of the price of new plant free of tax in the first year, instead of only 20 per. cent., is particularly helpful for purchases of electric vehicles, where a high initial capital outlay is subsequently balanced by low running and maintenance costs. In other words; the purchaser will obtain help when he most needs it, that is, in the first year, when the capital outlay is actually made.
• The fact thatin subsequent years a smaller proportion is allowable tax-free will not be so important, as then the saving on running electric vehicles becomes operative. H. W. HEYmAN, Manager, Battery Electric Vehicle Division, Northern Coachbuilders, Ltd. Newcastle upon Tyne, 2.