Mr. Beddow Attacks Local Authorities
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ASTRONG attack on local authorities was made on Tuesday by Mr. R. P. Beddow, chairman of the East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd., in his annual report. Municipalities strenuously opposed the company's applications to increase fares, although they themselves raised their fares continuously, he declared.
" It is almost impossible to object to increases in rates levied by local authorities," said Mr. Beddow, "whereas it is easy for local authorities to lodge objections to increases in fares. Indeed, the ratepayer who appoints local councillors and pays local authority officials has little or no say in their public expenditure; in our part of the country, local authorities seem to seek to show their public spirit by objecting to increased charges by any undertakings other than their own."
It was " fantastic " that £215,000 was added to fuel and wages costs in 1950 and 1951. In 1952, a further £102.000 was incurred under the same headings. The main raw materials of transport attracted a tax of some 200 per cent.— far greater than that on luxury products, such as cosmetics. It was, therefore. impossible to avoid fare increases.
DUNDEE TRANSPORT SURVEYEE TWO internal surveys of Dundet 1 Transport Department by Production Engineering, Ltd., and Personnel Administration, Ltd., were recently put before the transport committee, but it was decided to defer consideration of them until a new general. manager is appointed (see "Men in the News ").
The total annual expenditure of the department is £800,000 and the reports indicated that savings of about £20,000 over 12-18 months could be effected. The convener said that the department was clearly free , from extraordinary extravagance or inefficiency.
BUSES FOR JOHANNESBURG
THE city of Johannesburg has issutd a call for tenders for the supply of five, 10 or 20 underfloor-engined singledeck buses with metal bodies. Vehicles equipped with fluid transmissions and Wilson gearboxes are required. The buses should be either 33 ft. long and carry 63 passengers, or 35 ft. long and carry 71.
Tenders must be submitted to the, Town Clerk, Municipal Offices, Johannesburg, by January 14, and must be accompanied by a deposit of 10 per cent. of the total amount quoted (but not exceeding £100).
NEW TYRE PRICES VOLLOWING the recent announce ment of a 10 per cent. reduction in the price of tyres, the Avon India Rubber Co., Ltd., gave "The Commercial Motor" these prices for typical commercial-vehicle covers: 6.50-20, 8 ply, £11 8s.; 7.00-20, 10 ply, E14 17s. 6d.; 7.50-20, 10 ply, £20 4s. 3d.; 8.25-20, 12 ply, £23 15s. 1 Id.; 9.00-20, 12 ply, £27 3s. 4d.; low-loader tyre, 8 ply, Ell 2s. 3d.