Operating AsPeas of PASSENGER TRANSPORT
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CONDEMNED BUS CAUSES FATAL ACCIDENT
WHEN Lindsey County Council W pleaded guilty at Barton-onHumber on Monday, October 3, to permitting the use of a bus which was in an unsafe condition, it was stated that the council bought the vehicle for 2.30, after it had been condemned for further use on public service. The council used it for the conveyance of schoolchildren, and during one of its journeys a schoolboy was fatally injured as the result of falling through the front door of the bus as it was rounding a corner. The condition of the door was such that it opened outwards instead of inwards.
The council was fined 220 for permitting the use of the bus, and the driver was ordered to pay costs for using it.
A plea of guilty was entered for the driver, but it was said that he had no authority to execute any repairs without the council's consent. In August, he reported to the council that the con dition of the bus was unsatisfactory.
For the council, it was said that it bought the bus in 1937, and certain repairs, recommended by a competent mechanic, were carried out before the bus was put on the road. These repairs, however, did not include anything in connection with the doors. The driver made a report to the council, but it was not realized at the time that the condition of the bus was actually dangerous.
Mr. Overton Wass, chairman of the Bench, said the magistrates thought that the driver had really no excuse for driving the bus in such a condition, but he had done his duty by reporting it. Having seen the bus, the magistrates realized that it was in" a disgraceful condition." and they were surprised that Lindsey Education Committee should have allowed it to be put on the road. They were also surprised that the council should have wasted its money in buying it.
LABOUR OPPOSES TROLLEY. BUSES.
A RESOLUTION, opposing the protiposed experiment with trolleybuses and favouring the retention and extension of the trams as a preferable system of passenger transport, has been unanimously approved by Glasgow Labour Party. It is stated that the experiment could be carried out only at considerable cost and by sacrificing a tram route now operated at a profit.
As we have previously mentioned, opposition to the trolleybus has also been made by the trades unions representing municipal employees, which point out that the adoption of trolleybuses in Glasgow would cause additional unemployment, as the buses would require to be bought from English manufacturers, whereas the trams are constructed in the municipal tram works.
UNPROFITABLE EXTENSIONS IN EASTBOURNE.
A REPORT issued by Eastbourne
Motorbus Committee, strongly advises that there should be no further extensions of existing routes, or the introduction of new routes, until it is certain that there is a real existing need.
There have been instances, the report states, where extensions have been made long before they should have been. An example of this was cited in the extension of the East Dean Road route to Osborne Road, which necessitated the putting on of an extra bus. On a full year, this exten sion will necessitate the running of 14,405 extra miles, and on the basis of last year's costs, this means an expenditure of 2840, whilst the extra revenue averages about 10s. per day, or 2180 per annum.
SOUTH SHIELDS TO SPEND 25,472.
SANCTION has been received by South Shields Town Council to borrow 23,972 for the purchase of two buses. The council is also to extend its trolleybus service on the coast road to Marsden, at a cost of 21,500.
WORKERS' DEMAND NOT SUFFICIENT
AN application of Mr. C. Davies, of Soundwell, Bristol, to run a service from Staple Hill to the Filtou aeroplane works, Filton, for the conveyance of workmen, was refused by the Western Traffic Commissioners last week.
Sir Seymour Williams put in a petition from workmen in the district who said that they had to cycle to work, and would prefer a bus.
Mr. A. T. James, K.C., the chairman, said that the Commissioners could not grant the application on the evidence of the workmen alone without any supporting evidence, as it would be setting a dangerous precedent. There was, he said, no complaint from the management of the aeroplane factory that they could not get their men to work in time.
Following this application, the Bath Tramways Motor Co., Ltd., and Mr. P. J. Chard, of Devizes, made applications to run a service from Devizes to Yatesbury aerodrome, each opposing the application made by the other.
A representative of the Bath Tramways concern said that it could put on a large fleet of buses at short notice. The Commissioners decided to grant a licence to the Bath Tramways concern and adjourned Mr. Chard's application. Mr. James added that the Yatesbury district may develop within a short period and should that be so they felt that Mr. Chard, as a local man who had run a service of this kind before, should have an opportunity of again coming before the Commissioners to obtain a share of the business.