Traders Ignore Co-operation Call NAR. W. M. HALL, general manager
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ILL of Liverpool Transport Department, in his annual report, complains bitterly of the lack of co-operation by business houses in staggering hours.
"The recent trend in industry towards an earlier evening finishing time has intensified the peak-hour problem," he says. "Vehicle utilization is now stretched to the absolute limit at these times, and whilst many adjustments in scheduling have been made to suit the convenience of industrial establishments, the department's plea for consultation and a measure of staggering of hours when the general reduction of the working week came into effect was, to all intents and purposes, ignored."
Altogether 113 concerns in the Liverpool area were invited to discuss changed working hours with the department. Mr. Hall says that unless the co-operation of all concerned is forthcoming, local transport problems will became insoluble. The undertaking is short of 680 traffic staff. Although a great deal of overtime is being worked, it is impossible always to turn out full services.
Traffic congestion is such that during the evening peak great difficulty is being experienced in running two round jour neys. It has also been reflected by slight increases in the consumption of fuel and
lubricating oils. Some slight improvement in lubricating-oil averages has, however, been noted in vehicles fitted with automatic topping-up devices.
A great deal of work has been done to improve braking performance and obtain increased lining life. Linings with improved fade characteristics are being tested, and further economies arc expected to ensue from the standardization of these materials.
Further development has taken place in tests of a vehicle with disc brakes at the front. It is giving the most encouraging results, and attempts are being made to adapt disc brakes for fitting at the rear.
TRANSPORT TAKE-OVER
THE meat, sugar and livestock haulage
business of Muirs Transport, Ltd., Cupar, Fifes, has been taken over by Transport (Bristol), Ltd., who intend to develop the undertaking and enlarge col& storage facilities at Cupar. Mr. Andrew Muir, former managing director, remains as a director of the acquired concern and is joined on the board by Mr. P. J. Wise, chairman of Transport (Bristol), Ltd., and Mr. R. Slaughter.