Spearhead Thrust at Northern Scheme
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New A.E.C. Bus with Underfloor Engine
INITIAL details have now been
released by the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., Edinburgh, of a new A.E.C. single-decker with a six-cylindered 125 b.h.p. oil engine suspended under the floor between the axles. The power unit is used in conjunction with , .a fluid coupling and preselective gearbox.
The brakes, gearbox and door are operated by compressed air, and to increase passenger safety the forward entrance door is controlled by the driver. Passengers are said to be impressed by the comfort and absence of noise or vibration of this prototype, which seats 40.
This pattern of A.E.C. bus has made extensive trials in many parts of the country and has been seen • in service in the Preston area. Mr. Vane Morland, a member of the Road Passenger Executive, recently inspected the bus at the A.E.C. works at Southall, and a picture of him at the controls appeared in this journal on September 16.
Ceylon is also interested in British single-deckers with underfloor engines. 'Mr. K. B. L. Perera, managing director of the North Western Blue Bus Co., has been visiting the United Kingdom and has called on two makers of vehicles of this type. He is stated to have placed an order, although there is no possibility of early delivery.
FREE HAULIER "SCOOPS" B.T.C.
AFREE haulier recently succeeded in gaining a five-year contract with the Milk Marketing Board, which had previously employed the services of a State-controlled transport undertaking.
Mr. C. Alexander. whose extensive haulage business was recently taken over by the British Transport Commis
41/428 sion, put in his own application to the Scottish Deputy Licensing Authority for licences for 22 vehicles to carry out the contract. Previously, the Board was served by Messrs. Wm. Wisely and Sons, a firm who came under Government control a short while ago.
Mr. Archibald Robertson, Deputy Licensing Authority, who granted the application, said that it might be unfortunate that business would be transferred from the B.T.C., but that was not a matte!' with which he was concerned.
NO JOBS: NO COMPENSATION
A4ANY north-eastern hauliers whose IVIbusinesses have been acquired by the Road Haulage Executive, reports a correspondent of " The . Commercial Motor," are complaining bitterly because they have so far received no settlement of their claims. In several cases, former senior executives are stated to be without positions, the case being quoted of a man in his sixties being replaced in what was formerly his business by his traffic manager.
Directors have been offered salaries between £400 and £500 per annum and an instance is mentioned of a senior official earning "four figures," who was offered employment as a foreman shunt driver.
["The Commercial Motor " understands that payment of compensation will be made this month to a number of hauliers whose businesses have been taken over by the Road Haulage Executive. Compensation for loss of office cannot yet be paid. because the Minister of Transport has not made the necessary regulations.]
ONLY one road haulage undertaking —that of G. L. Baker, 33. Orchard Place,. London, E.14—was transferred to the Road Haulage Executive during the week from September 18-24. AT a meeting of 50 independent Northern passenger transport operators, held in Newcastle-on-Tyne last week, it was decided to form an association to be known as the Independent Bus Operators' Conference, to formulate policy in opposing the proposed north-eastern area scheme.
An action committee was elected and
met at-the conclusion of the open meeting. Members of the committoe are Mr. R. W. D. Graham (Messrs. Primrose Coaches, Blaydon), chairman; Dr. M. Klar (Messrs. Blue Bird Coaches, Stockton), vice-chairman; and Mr. F. Milton (area secretary of the Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association). secretary.
At the open meeting it was decided to invite local municipal transport undertakings to join private companies in fighting the scheme.
Unwarranted Proposals Mr. Graham said that the Government's proposals were unwarranted. Most of the private concerns had been built up through hard work by individual families and when they had developed into first-class undertakings the Government proposed taking them over.
Mr. G. W. Hayter, chief engineer and general manager of the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., the biggest " free " operator in the north-east, said that the Northern branch offices would be made available to the Omnibus Passengers Protection Association to collect signatures from passengers opposed to nationalization.
Mr. E. Hill, secretary of the Omnibus Passengers Protection Association, said that the fact that the organization now had 40,000 members was remarkable evidence of the growing opposition to nationalization.
Mr, John Birch, national chairman of the P.V.O.A., pledged his organization to give,its full support to the operators. No system could provide the same facilities and fares as the present private enterprise.
"Gay Optimism"
In a letter sent to a number of provincial newspapers, Mr. Hayter has replied to what he termed the Minister of Transgort's gay optimism in stating at Edinburgh that when the receipts wilt pay. forms of inland transport are pooled under nationalization, transport pa •
"One may, well ask," continues Mr. Hayter, " on what evidence Mr. Barnes has formed this opinion, when all the evidence tends to show that under public management costs are higher than under private enterprise." As costs rose, fares must rise and the conditions now affect-, ing the railways would also hamper road passenger transport, he added.
Under public control the public had no control whatever. he said.
Following a debate on transport nationalization, the Flenfield Conservative Assoc,lation. Sussex, has formed a nucleus for a proposed Omnibus Passengers Protection Association..