CHAR-A-BANCS NEWS AND COMMENT.
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, Important Matters of Topical Interest to Proprietors of Motor Coaches.
Char-a-banes Passengers. Char-a-banes Passengers.
TROUBLE on 'chars-a-banes trips is not all the fault of the driver. There are a dozen daily services running Irons Manchester to Blackpool, and having treoently travelled by elear-hbanc across England to Lowestoft and Cromer, and back to Cottonopolis, via the Great North Road and the Yorkshire , Moors, I write from actual experience.
We were on a Leyland vehicle; owned by the Ashton Co-operative Society, Ltd., and whatever may he the view of makers and agents with reg:ard to the business methods of the co-operative societies, their growing importanee as a market for chars-a-banc,s and commercial lorries is generally acknowledged. It ran just over 500 miles in four days; was always up to seheauled time for lunch, tea, and dLihner, and never made an unnecessary halt.
There was reason for such behaviour. With, the driver was a mechanic, who ran over the vehicle nightly, and saw it was in real trim for the morning. Ile sat -next the driver, and warded off all inqairies as to the road commonplaces, as to the easy running; and the other Obvious statements with which passengers frequently divert the attention of drivers.
Our programme was strictly adhered to; there were no unscheduled stops, and the familiar offerings of liquid goodwill to the driver were never made ; they would have been resented. And, while the driver was thus careful of his credit, the passengers, being thoughful men of business, accompanied by their wives, were equally responsive te the manners of the read.
,Occasionally we passed other chars-a,liane,s, and then evidence of the bolaterous day tripper wai often to the front. And lot me say this is said, in no pharasaical spirit In some places passengers near the pavement tried to appropriate the headgear of pedestrians; some threw coppers among 4 group of children, and others became commonly boisterous.
Such behaviour is responsible for the bad name that char-a-bancs tours have already obtained in some of the Norfolk districts, and -also the Fenlands—as well as the quiet villages of Derby-shire and Cheshire, now threatened with an invasion that is almost a procession on Sundays and Saturdays.
It would be well if those responsible, for motoring trips, who solicit the patronage of workmen's parties for day runs, would iseue to each passenger a few typewritten or printed suggestions --by way. of regulation. Here are a few warnings:— 1. Passengers are reminded that safety depends on their helping the .driver 1 by doing nothing to divert his attention when turning corners, etc.
2. Seats are provided for all passengers; none need stand, 3. There is no necessity to throw coppers to children en route ; they only induce a crowd to follow the vehicle. 4. The driver is expected to keep to scheduled time, hence there must be no requeats.tforrimauthorized stops.
5. Goodwill towards the proprietor and the driver is best shown by recommending the tour to friends, that will keep us in good employment a,s well as health. The latter need not be drank. •
The article in a recent issue of rite Commercial Motor with regard to the drivers is recognized, by several to whom have mentioned the matter, as
generally accurate. There is another aspect that two or three have mentioned. Garage proprietors, in the eastern counties particularly, are not, as yet, so accustomed to the char-a-bancs, as are these of the North. Some think anything will do, and, in one place; the char-a-banes was stood in the open all night at a charge of 3s. '
The 'fact that it occupies so much space necessitates a revision of existing arrangements in many places, and those uarage proprietors who have not adequate accommodation had better realize and acknowledge the fact. They should not accept the care of a char-a-basics -unless it cau be properly housed. For, on a few days' -tour, people become a trifle careless, and leave mackintoshes,
cloaks, rugs, etc., in the vehicle. Unless, therefore, there is some guarantee Of security, the garage proprietor had better. leave the business alone.
The business is new, the passengers generally are unaccustomed to the new., sensation and the new 'pleasure. In that condition in which they seem to delight, they disprove the contention that we take our pleasures sadly; and for the present season, at least, there must be some forbearance all round. It is important, however, that a good tradition of the road is begun—and that driver and passenger should pleasantly and helpfully re-act on each other.
MANCUNIAN.
. Char-a-banes Body Building.
RAPID STRIDES have been made in the design and construction of.chara-banes bodies during the past few years, and there is no gainsaying the fact that the present prevailing popularity of the char-a-banes, as a touring vehicle, is in no small measure, due to the comfort which the modern body, built on. tried and approved principles, provides. Of course, it will be readily understood that the commercial-vehicle chassis intended for pase-eriger employment has also re. ceived special attention at the hands of designers, so that the present-day chat-5-tones, thanks to the co-operative efforts of body builders and chassis manufac
turers, has reached a stage which might be regarded as approaching the 'ideal.
One of the concerns which are at present devoting considerable workshop space troths, construction of Char-ii-bancs bodies is Messrs. Ayling and Sons, Riverside Works, Putney, S.W. This concern has only been engaged on this class of work for -a few months, but after a visit to their. Thames-side premises, we can undoubtedly express the view that they are tackling the problem with considerable enterprise. They have got together a staff of skilled men, who have all had much experience in the construetion and erection of bodies particularly
intended for chars-k-bancs. Their one object in employing first-class men is to be able to turn out first-class bodies. The concern realize that char-N-tones body building is essentially a specialist's job, and, as such, calls for good workmanship as well as the employment of wellseasoned material.
They are devoting their energies at the present time to the production of two types, one—the A type--being a standard model, the other—type B—being a more highly-finished job. Roll-over type panelling is a -feature of the latter design, which gives a much neater finish to the vehicle as a whole, as well as avoiding the protrusion of the upholstery above the sides and backs Of the seats, which, of course, lessens its risk of damage.
When we paid a visit to the company's work.s recently, we observed a well-conceived 30-seater body, fitted on a Lainiler chassis, going through the shops. The vehicle presented an imposing appearance, being of a light grey colour, with upholstery in dark green. This body was being built for the Southsea Touring Co., of Portsmouth, and an illustration of the machine is reproduced on the previous page. We also noticed a sheet-steel body in course of construction.
On all the chars-a-banns built by this concern, the Dennis-type hood is fitted
as standard, whilst two tool lockers, one under the front seat and the other under the rear seat, are provided. A run through the saw mills was all that was. necessary to convince us that a well-cenditioned stock of timber is held, whist we were able to observe in the framingup shop the accuracy with which bodies are put together.
The two line illustrations on this page show details in the construction of thei bodies, one of them showing the spate which is left for Joe-room, whilst the other depicts the construction of the locker under the rear seat, the aides and back of which are cet in agew inches in order to prevent the hammering effect of loose tools on the external body
Smaller Vehicle!.
The small char-a-bancs is sure to he, a development of the present, types, because the need will grow for vehicles To carry small private Parties. As evidence of this, much interest is being -manifested in the »Jew' daily mtitercar service between London and Myths, Bandgate, and Folkestone. The cars, which are provided \Cita comfortable separate seats, nick' uo passengers at their own houses and convey•theinto their-dectinav tions within a certain area ireLondon at the inclusive charge of. RI. The cais leave this district at 0.30 a.m., arriving in London at 1 p.m. The return 'mirriisy is commenced at 3 p.m., arriving back at 6.30 p.m. Already considerable numbeNa are taking advantage of the opportunity provided for a rim, through the most glorious part of Kent. The distance to London from Hythe, is about 65 miles.
The Need for Organization by Char-a-bancs Owners. Char-a-bancs Owners.
THE. GREATEST care is taken by shop-keepers to ensure that their places of business are as attractive and as easy' of access as possible, and, to a great extent, inasmuch as he is dependent upou individual custom for the booking of seats, the char-a-bancs pro
, prietor is in the position of a retail tradesman. The shape of the entrance, the effect of a step, and such details, are taken into consideration by the enterprising tradesman, but often the char-abanes taroprietor has to be content with scanty office accommodation in an inconvenient position, and in an unattractive locality.
It is seldom that garages are in places where customers can be attracted, and the grease, dirt, and general atmosphere of the pre/lASO where chars-a-bancs are stored and repaired is not the place to
carry out business affairs. As competition increases the proprietor who can organize his Lbasiness most efficiently will be the most successful, and it is never too early to take such matters in hand. Not only should the reduction of running costa be a Matter of vital importance, but equally essential to the successful management of a business is the matter of obtaining the, .greatest return of capital for a fixed amount of -work done. To keen the vehicles running -with every seal, full should he the object; and, to achieve this, special attention should be paid. to the facilities with which seats can be booked. To reduce running costs or repair bills is an important matter,. but of equal importance, is the increase of revenue, and for every seat which is empty on a journey there is a loss of revenue.
Good organization means the adoption of all available means for securing custom. A certain amount of custom can generally be secured -with little, or no effort, but to reach the state approaching 100 per cent. efficiency is a most difficult matter. Advertising. encourages customers to look to the motor char-a-banes when in search of some form of amusement, but however tempting the advertisements may be, they • do not bring cestomers to the point of engaging scats. If facilities for engaging seats are not satisfactory the value of the advertisements is lost, and this means a loss of revenue to the proprietor. As the garage is not. a tempting place to which Customers can be attracted, it should be the desire of the char-berm proprietor to provide better facilities. The more central the • booking office is the better the appeal will be, because it will touch a larger circle of possible customers.
It is not always necessary that the ceiling of seats should be in the hands of the char-a-hanes owner entirely, for if the garage is in an unsuitable place this would involve theinpkeep of separate establishment and staff. In most cases it will be found possible to arrange with a shop-keeper to accept iMokings, and by the giving of a reasonable discount, or commission, the trans07ction can be made to the advantage ti-Pboth parties. The additional grist 'which is brought to the mill, and is therefore almost all clear profit, or at all 'events extra profit, will cover the hdditional expense .incurred in having 'the booking, arrangements earried out by someone else.
But, however good the advertising and booking arrangements of a concern are, enterprise in this direction is wasted if titan, are faults in other parts of the organization. The most important•feature about the running of a fleet of chars-a-basics should be, their dependability. H a commercialvehicle carrying merchandise has a mechanical stop on the road, and there is some delay in the delivery of the goods, few people are aware of the mishap. If a load of passengers is concerned in an untoward incident every passenger lives to spread the story. Unfortunately, stories of mishaps take. a long time to live down, and a succession of trifling accidents can very easily ruin the reputation of a concern.
. In the management of any kind of
business it is off eu—a. little difficult to put oneself in the positios-e.of a holidaymaker, but the most ,successful concern is the one which considers the point of view of its customers. Holiday-makers desire. to make the most of their time, and they are naturally somewhat careless in noting the passing of time, but a strict order should be given that charsa-banes must leave specified places strictly to time,. and the driver should not be held responsible if passengers are left behind. It is unfair to passengers who do observe the times fixed for leaving that they should be kept waiting for the return of the last belated reveller who cares to come strolling along at his convenience. Nothing can be more annoying to those who have made an endeavour at sonic inconvenience to themselves to • follow instructions, only to find that their efforts were useless. Even on. holiday sheer time wasting is objectionable.
A further point worthy of consideration is the convenience of the driver. Char-a-banes driving is arduous work. Vehicles often start at. an early hour, and delays rob him of his rest.
Small Char-a-bancs for Sale.
We know of a 16 seater char-h-banes (brand new, mounted on a, Minerva six cylinder 40 h.p. chassis., which has been thoroughly overhauled and is in perfect running order mounted on Goodrich solid. tyres) for sale at the price of £980. The machine has not been used since reconstruction as a char-a-bane.s, owing to an alteration in the original plans of the owner. We shall be glad to put any reader likely to be interested in communication with-him. Letters ehould be addressed M.P.M., care of The Editor, The Commercial Motor.