Commercial Motoring from the Inside.
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Article V.
Contributed by " Homoe."
The Double-deck Motor Omnibus.
The creation of this vehicle marked a new phase in the history of locomotion. One cannot readily forget the crowds who attempted to board them when they first appeared on the London roads. Of these would-be patrons, only a few, and those the agile ones, succeeded in the attempt, and one well recollects the ugly rushes which took place at every important picking-up point. As these vehicles increased in .number, the satisfaction of the business man, and those who wished to arrive at their destination in a speedier manner than with the old horse bus, was supreme. To travel from what were then remote spots—Putney to the Bank, Peckham to Oxford Circus, Crieklewood to Charing Cross, in less than half the accustomed time, made a great difference to the comfort of many. London did not alter its business hours through the advent of these vehicles, hut time was saved; the individual had, therefore, less strain put upon him. The motor-omnibus boom was then in full swing, and every firm who offered to build these vehicles had as many orders placed with them as they cared to accept. The independence and arrogance of sonic makers was intolerable in those days.
.After a few months' running, experience proved that these motorbuses were not, mechanically, all that could be desired. Breakdowns began to occur, and, when the bus companies were in the throes of the breakdown troubles, Scotland Yard began to act vigorously, and soon put an end to the hopes of gigantic profits. It is not suggested that the Police were wrong in what they did. but that they harassed the bus companies tremendously is undeniable; on the whole, their supervision has proved the making of what will be an industry in more ways than one in the near future.
Mileage and Petrol Consumption.
A new motor omnibus, before the wear commences, has been found to run over 000 miles per week. Once the newness has worn off, this comes down to an average of 400 to 450, which becomes almost a constant average throughout the fleet, practically year in year out. There is no question that the bus companies have passed their worst epoch, and from henceforth the ordinary runningperiod of a bus chassis will gradually increase rather than decrease, whilst the running costs must come down all round. For example, during this period of difficulties, there was a scarcity of petrol, which materially increased some running costs; the mileage covered per gallon in early days was considerably less than now, and here, again, great improvement may be expected. Various new types of carburetters have been tested by the bus, companies, and, during the last few months, more than one carburetter has shown abnormally low mileage consumption. it may be anticipated, without undue optimism, that an average of TO miles to the gallon will be obtained. This, with the decreased price of petrol, will make an enormous difference to profits.
Tire Contracts.
The price per mile for tires has already come down a tong way. Had the motor omnibus companies sufficient capital. there is no doubt that, in purchasing the tires right out, the costs in this direction would be less, but stringent tire guarantees would have to be exacted, and this might cause complication in agreements. Tilt: present system of obtaining quotations from the tire manufacturers to run at so much per mile is, however, a sound and reasonable arrangement, only there can be no doubt that the tire companies on this basis are bound to make a larger profit than they would if the tires were purchased outright. No tire manufacturer would care to undertake mileage contracts at too fine a price, since the size of the orders placed covers such a large sum of money, and the periods for which the contracts are made are of considerable duration; also, the price If the raw material fluctuates so considerably, that the tire manufacturer must be weli covered to safeguard himself. If contracts were placed on an equitable basis to all parties, a quotation should be given per mile with punt Para rubber at a fixed price, and as and when the market fluctuated apercentage should be Tickled to, or subtracted from, the price paid per mile, The average price per month mieht be taken, and one price depending on the fluctuation of the market price of pure Para rubber then would be paid each month. It is customary, where the fluctuations are not so great as those of rubber, to lix contracts for the purchase of partly-manufactured metal goods on this basis. The percentage of pure Para rubber in a solid tire is, I learn on good authority, approximately 5o per cent., and it will, therefore, be readily seen that, if the price of rubber rises 5n per cent. within three months front the time the contract is placed, the tire maker will be supplying tires at a heavy loss if he based his figure on the lowest market price. Needless to say, I make this proposition as a suggestion ; there may be other obstacles in the way of carrying it out, but it must certainly appeal to the average business man. I put it forward for what it is worth. :Mal, not the rubber be bought six or more months before the sale of the tire?—Erui
Improving Factors.
The item which, with the passing of time, has improved, and will improve still further, is the cost of upkeep of the vehicle. The driver question has nearly solved itself, in as much as, to-day, the companies have not to expend such large sums of money in the training of men as they have had to do initially, The cost of lubricating the engine is also on the down grade, and, as later svsteme of lubrication are fitted, savings will be effected here. Finally, one of the most expensive items, viz., police stop notices, will, it is hoped, very soon become a thing of the past, but, in anv case, the standard required by the authorities is now so well known that no further structural alteration on a wholesale scale is likely to be required, and only occasional stoppages for noise arising from wear, and minor details, will affect the bus companies' routine. It is, therefore, to be hoped that within the next three years motor omnibus companies will be able to show a satisfactory balance sheet, and this, more than anything, will help the movement generally. The manufacturers of commercial vehicles have always had to overcome this very strong protest from possible buyers, that—" if motor omnibus companies lose money, how can I make it pay !"
Smaller Motor Omnibuses.
Under this heading, one can place the omnibus suitable for small districts or short distances, station omnibuses for hotels, and private omnibuses, and the omnibuses de luxe of London.
The first of these classes has been found to be practicable for divergent uses. Districts abound all over the country where a large double-deck, or even a large single-deck omnibusis not practicable, and here a small chassis fitted with a suitable body has been found a, grant boon to many, The trade in this direction has hardly begun, and it can safely be predicted that, before many years have passed, the small motor omnibus will be in vogue, and will link up outlying districts where railway Stations are mot convenient, thus providing such places with a quick means of communication with the larger centres. The running costs of such a vehicle ere, however, not less in proportion to the number of passengers carried; for example, driver's wages remains constant it is necessary to charge a little more per passenger, in
order lo secure the same amount of profit than what can be charged for a larger vehicle, and from rid, to 2 d. per mile is required. Needless to say, the costs per mile of tires and petrol are less, but, again, not quite in direct proportion.
The development of the station omnibus for hotel work, it can be confidently predicted, will be a large one, and all up-to-date hotel proprietors would do well to purchase such a vehicle at the earliest opportunity. Looking at the hotel from a purely business side, it
stands to reason that a passenger alighting at a station tor the first time would be more impressed if a smart motor omnibus were waiting to carry him quickly, and certainly more comfortably, to his destination, than were he to see the old-fashioned horse omnibus, which is rarely shod with rubber tires, and creaks and jolts over the roads in a most appalling manner. Once the visitor arrives at the hotel, it remains for the proprietor to satisfy his or her requirements, and to retain custom for future occasions. Such a vehicle could be utilised for conveying parties on amusement bent, when not required for station duty, and all that should be necessary to ninke such a vehicle assume a private appearmice would he the removal of the hotel name-board,
Dealing now, briefly, with private motor omnibuses, the uses to which these can be put are as various as the pursuits of their owners, especially if the possessors of such vehicles happen to entertain or live in " a large way." For ordinary station work, they rank supreme. A visitor arriving at the station can be conveyed quickly, with his or her luggage; should the owner possess a shoot, it can carry guns comfortably, or, if not required for such a purpose, it can be utilised to carry the beaters and dogs; for the latter, a removable top is reeommended, and the upholstered cushions could he removed; and for cross-country journeys, family parties can travel with great comfort and expedition. When one calculates the time wasted in catching trains, especially where changes have to be effected en route, or where cross-town journeys have to be made in cabs from one railway terminus to another, it will readily be seen that a motor omnibus travelling at a consistent speed, although slower than the train journey or journeys alone, will make up time, and in the end be speedier than the railway journey with frequent changes. The comfort of the motor exceeds that of the railway, since the handling of luggage is invariably a source of annoyance to everyone. One of the advantages of this mode of travelling is that, whenever required, a break can be made for refreshment, and at places of interest short rests can be effected : this enhances the enjoyment of the trip. In nearly every case, the cost of running works out considerably less than first-class fares, plus porters and cabs, providing the party is of reasonable dimensions. If a jobbing company with a fleet of motors fitted with suitable bodies existed, there can be no doubt that the hiring out of such conveyances would yield a handsome profit, and it is surprising that no enterprising party has supplied himself with a fleet of such vehicles. [Thomas Tilling, Ltd., has several—Ed. l During the whole year, and especially at holiday times, they would he in constant demand, and, when not in use for this class of work, parties who wished to be conveyed to dances, theatres, concerts, etc., would appreciate them. For golf, and many other kinds of sport, they would be invaluable, and, when utilised in the summer, the closed top could be removed and exchanged for a plain canopy roof, with storm curtains.
The omnibus de luxe comes last. Mr. Davison DalAO and Mr. Edgar Cohen have tried this in London (Earl's Court lo Queen's Hall). Until they extend the frequencs of the service, no fair test can be given, but the corning season should satisfy them that the condemnation of the first-class motorbus by the directors of the old horse companies is no criterion of the case for motors, npart from the fact that other first-class singledeckers are " on the stocks."