The Value of Our Tables of Operating Costs.
Page 35
Page 36
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
TT is 21 years since we began to publish -I-Tables of Operating Costs for all types of commercial-motor vehicle as a regular feature of The Commercial Motor, the Tables being revised frequently to keep them up to date and in accord with any change in taxation, price of petrol, ,wages, etc.
The information upon which they are based is derived from sources all over the country and covering the experience of many hundreds of actual users. They are naturally average figures from which deductions may be made -should vehicles be operating in level country over particularly good roads, or increased where bad roads, steep hills or other arduous conditions of operation are likely to affect the cost.
Their value to the industry cannot, however, be over-estimated, and they are now accepted as a basis for the calculation of all such costs. They enable operators accurately to estimate their profits or losses, indicate to them what to charge, and materially assist in the prevention of the drastic cutting of rates to which the inexperienced haulier is so prone.,,, and which exercises such serious effects upon the whole industry, No charge is made for these Tables, which are reprinted in pamphlet and pocket-book form, and each year many thousands are issued to applicants, amongst whom may be mentioned the transport managers of large fleets, the chiefs of the road-transport departments of the railways, and the majority of passenger-vehicle operators ; the figures given in these Tables are extensively quoted in articles on transport appearing in other journals, and in papers read before technical institutes, etc. Letters of appreciation regarding the value of these Tables are received daily from all classes of user, and, in conjunction with our free information bureau, they provide a service to readers which is unrivalled by any other paper.
A contemporary recently published a leading article which was obviously an attempt to discredit the value of our Tables. This, however, is merely another instance of the Fox an the Grapes. The preparation of The Commercial Motor Tables involves a tremendous amount of work and demands vast experience, whilst the information can be regarded as thoroughly reliable. During the course of the year or so which elapses between each complete revision of these Tables, there are usually but few important changes in cost, except in the price of petrol, and special figures are given to permit adjustment to be made accordingly.