Passenger Transport News
Page 38
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LONDON TRANSPORT APPLIES CLOSED SHOP
1 ONDON TRANSPORT has decided La not to employ workers of certain grades who are unwilling to join the Transport and General Workers' Union. This decision has been reached because the General Executive Council of the T.G.W.U., with which the Board has negotiated in the past and enjoyed an amicable relationship, has informed London Transport that Union members will not work with employees in certain grades who do not belong to the Union. As an overwhelming majority of the Board's employees belong to the T.G.W.U., the Board appears to have had no alternative in applying a closed shop.
Troubles have arisen because employees who belong to the National Passenger Workers' Union, which was formed in 1938, are opposed to the T.G.W.U., and to secure observance by members of the N.P.W.U. of agreements concluded with the T.G.W.U. has been difficult.
The N.P.W.U. is determined to fight the Board's decision, and the possibility of taking legal action has been mentioned. Membership of both unions by any individual will, it is stated, be forbidden by the T.G.W.U., which will allow non-members a reasonable time to join.
FARES ON EXPRESS SERVICES
REPRESENTATIONS continue to be made -by the Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association to secure a more adequate increase in fares on express services. The present increase of 162 per cent. is inadequate to balance the constantly rising costs of operation. Any
application for a further increase must, under the Minister of Transport's ruling, be supported by evidence of receipts and expenses since services recommenced this year.
After the next meeting of the national council of the P.V.O.A., it is hoped to give further information on the subject.
WINTER FARES NEXT WEEK WINTER fares will come into force VV on September 9 on the following coach services:—East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd.; Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd.; Maidstone and Dastrict Motor Services, Ltd. (London-Hastings and Bexhill service only); Royal Blue express services; Royal Blue-Greyhound joint services; Southdown Motor Services, Ltd. This announcement is made by London Coastal Coaches, Ltd.
HIGHER PAY FOR INSPECTORS QTOCKTON Corporation has agreed s-)to grant a wage increase of 7s. 6d. weekly, as an interim measure, to transport inspectors, pending the outcome of the plan to include bus inspectors of municipal undertakings within the scope of the National Joint Council for Clerical and Supervisory Workers of Local Authorities. Middlesbrough Corporation and Darlington Corporation have both decided to take no action on wages until the future status of transport inspectors has been settled.
MORE ALL-NIGHT SERVICES
PERMISSION to operate all-night bus services on a more comprehensive scale than in 1939 is to be sought from the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners by Leeds Corporation. It is proposed to operate the services on 13 of the chief tram routes.
LEICESTER'S ACCOUNTS SHOW LOWER PROFIT
I N the financial year ended March 31 last, Leicester Corporaton's bus undertaking earned a net surplus of £10,720, against £16,028 in 1944-45. Total revenue rose from £280,610 to £288,885 and total working expenses and special expenditure from £227,085 to £243,994. The trams made a net profit of £1,937.
The corporation's 111 A.E.C. and Leyland oil-engined buses carried 43,011,538 passengers over 2,987,434 miles, both figures representing an increase on those for the previous year. Traffic revenue averaged 22.953d. per bus-mile, against average working expenses of 19.363d. Traffic revenue was 24.356d. per busmile in 1944-45, when working expenses averaged 19.566d. Last year's increased revenue was earned despite the migration of, evacuees from Leicester, who, during their stay in the city, raised thz municipal transport department's takings by £5,000.
TOURS TRANSFERRED
A PPLTCAT1ONS are being made by
Ashlands Tours, Ltd., Burnley Road Garage, Accrington, for licences and backings for excursions and tours previously operated by Ashworth, Heys, Ltd. The services start from Accrington, Blackburn, Darwen, and Great Harwood.
BARR BUYS BOX'S BUSINESS
ANOTHER merger has been carried out by Barr and Wallace Arnold Trust, Ltd., Hunslet, Leeds. The company has purchased the business of M. Box (Castleford), Ltd. Six vehicles are involved in the deal. The Box services in the Castleford-Kippax district will be operated by the Barr concern.
PASSENGERS AND BULLOCKS AS TRAVELLING COMPANIONS
ANEW road train, intended for passenger and bullock transport in the Tennant's Creek area of Central Australia, has been completed by McGrath Trailer Equipment Proprietary, Ltd., of
Melbourne. The train consists of a Ford three-axle tractor-truck with V8 engine, a long semi-trailer, and a fourwheeled trailer.
The semi-trailer p or tion will accommodate 15-20 passengers and 14 bullocks, with seven bullocks, plus luggage, goods, etc., for which a special compartment has been provided, in the rear trailer.
Among the special features of the outfit are a power unit, installed at the rear of the passenger cabin of the semitrailer, which drives a pump to enable cattle to be hosed down at halts during periods of excessive heat.
PRE-WAR SERVICES AGAIN
ARRANGEMENTS for the restoration of full pre-war bus services in Aberdeen have been made by the corporation transport committee. In addition, certain routes will be extended to serve housing areas. Forty double-deck and 10 single-deck buses have been on order for some time, and the improved services will be introduced gradually as deliveries are made.