DELIVERING A BRITISH BUS IN SPAIN.
Page 24
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Another A.E.C. Donble-decker for Service in Barcelona.
T WAS about six months ago that
the authorities of Barcelona first allowed their partiality in a practical form for buses of British manufacture by instituting a bus service in the commercial capital of Spain with several A.E.C. double-deck vehicles. The company now have six vehicles of this make in regular service, and they have just added another bus to the fleet. This latest acquisition was shipped direct to Bordeaux from the works of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., where, after its arrival at the French port, it was unshipped and prepared for the journe3
to Madrid by road. Our pictures show the bus being unloaded from the s.s. "Lapwing," the vehicle passing under a low bridge near iron, with only a 2-in. clearance, and undertaking a long climb of about .2 miles near Vittoria, which formed the most picturesque portion of the journey.
The complete journey from Bordeaux to Madrid was accomplished in 3 days, during which time the average petrol consumption worked out at a gallon for 7 miles' running, and the speed maintained, where the, road surface was in aie eondition, was upwards of 20 m.p.h. The vehicle, of course, undertook the journey without a load of passengers, and the run, therefore, was more in the nature of a test of the efficiency of the springing system and the tyre equipment than of the suitability of the bus. for ordioary use an such a route. The roads in parts of Spain are notoriously inferior, but it is satisfactory to learn that the journey was accomplished without imdue vibration and jolting, despite the fact that the springs were functioning under unfavourable conditions as the result of the absence of a load. This is indicative of the efficiency of. the springing on the A.E.C. chassis, which aims at securing smooth running whether the vehicle be fully loaded or comparatively empty. -Many severe gradients 'were encountered eiv-ooute to Madrid, and they were easily surmounted without the need for engaging the lowest gear. Moreover, the engine cooling gave proof of its efficiency in spite of the hot weather which was experienced.
Char-a-basics Stands at Blukpool and Bolton.
At Blackpool the watch committee recently considered an application from the Blackpool and District Motor Chara-banes Association for permission for more than one vehicle belonging to the same firm to use the stand allotted to that firm, and a deputation consisting of Messrs. Leavesley, Dewhurst, and 'Taylor attended the meeting. After discussion, the committee resolved that a maximum number of two chars-a-banes in succession be allowed on each stand An application of Messrs. Torn Clark and Son for their present char-a-bancs stand at the junction of Central Road and Central Drive to be removed to a stand in the street opposite their premises in Chapel Street was not acceded to, whilst an application from Messrs. D. Roberts and Son for a motor coach stand was also refused.
At a meeting of the Bolton Watch Committee a letter was read from Mr. Arthur Christy on behalf of the Bolton Char-à-banes Owners' Association with reference to the stand for motor coaches on Victoria Square, and stating that a deputation from the association had interviewed 13 shopkeepers on the east side of -Victoria Square to ascertain their attitude towards a proposal that six vehicles instead of ten be allowed to return to the stand on the. east side of Victoria Square formerly occupied by such vehicles, and giving the results of such interviews, and asking the committee to reconsider the matter.
The committee, however, refused to make any alteration to the present stands.
New Dennis Coaches for N. Wales.
The Blue Motor Co., of. Bangor, North Wales, have just added a new coach to their Bangor-Menai Bridge service. It is a 40 h.p. 26-seater Dennis chassis, fitted with a body built by Messrs. Strachan and Brown, in which the roof is constructed on the roller-blind principle. Several more of these handsome coaches will be placed on the service during the Summer months, whilst the town and Carnarvon-Penmaenmawr services are also about to be augmented.
Inspecting Bolton's Coaches.
The watch committee of the Bolton Town Council recently inspected a. largo proportion of the 70 motor coaches licensed in Bolton in order to ascertain that they were satisfactory in the matter of braking, cleanliness, and general efficiency. The majority of the vehicles had previously passed a stringent road test, and the inspection Was merely concerned with such details as door fittings, seat cushions, brakes, steps, ate. It was not possible to inspect the whole of the vehicles licensed, due to the fact that many of them have been engaged in haulage work during the winter, and, as yet, have not been converted to their
summer guise for passenger-carrying. The vehicles inspected ranged from 12, seaters to 32-seaters, and a noticeable feature was the better -finish of the vehicles as compared with last year and the greater comfort which they provided. The number of 'vehicles shod with pneu matic tyres was Most striking.
An Improved Midland Bus Service.
A welcome improvement in the Midland Red bus service between Worcester and Kidderminster has just been made. This route passes through the important market-gardening and fruit-growing area. of Ombersley and Hartlehury, and the service has been insufficient for some time past. A larger number of buses now runs, and an earlier and later service is maintained. These increased facilities coincide with a reduction in fares ; return tickets (return portion available any day except Sundays) are also being issued at reduced rates.