None Genuine Without A LTHOUGH some operators have their distinctive forms
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of title-lettering, the road transport industry as a whole appears to shun anything in the way of trade-marks. Not having goods to brand, the carrier may feel that he has little use for a trade sign, but a little originality in this department is good publicity and undoubtedly impresses itself on the average customer's mind.
On quite a long journey recently I amused myself by keeping a sharp look-out for markings of this nature and found exactly one. The vehicle, belonging to Messrs. A. and T. Keogh, Wilmslow, Cheshire, displays a sign of a key superimposed upon a letter "0." Altogether an apt example, and a straight tip if an intending customer is in any doubt about the pronunciation.
No Orchids
HOW often are coach services "sampled" by persons who can give disinterested advice to those responsible for the management? During the past summer I have heard many complaints about the standard of catering offered both on excursions and on regular through services. To check on specific reports I recently made two coach journeys, one on a trip and the other by express service.
During the former a stop was made at a point where there was only one refreshment house which, at 2s. 6d., served a tea that would be accurately described by the adjective "light." It was certainly not good value, although I would have hesitated to complain on that score.
The stop chosen for the express service was at a café at the far end of a village so. although there were other refreshment houses in the oiling, it was difficult for passengers to make use of them. The establishment they were forced to patronize Was relatively cheap, but its dinginess D20 and the quality of the foodstuffs sent all concerned hurrying into the fresh air. Visitors from France and West Africa expressed themselves forcibly on the subject of British catering.
Often "little gold mines" that have given good service change hands and control is assumed by less efficient proprietors. But generally the coaches go on calling. Regular inspection by representatives of the management should be the unfailing rule of those operators whose stopping places are so located that they virtually compel the use of particular caf&.
The Long Trail
SHIPPING and packing problems can be a major headache for exporters of commercial vehicles, so that extremely rare bird, the overseas buyer who is going to make all his own arrangements for collection on the spot and for delivery, is a welcome sight. A week or two back, Mr. L. W. Elvins, of North of Leeds, Ltd., had a caller from Africa and a white companion who lost no time in choosing a coach that met their particular requirements. Perhaps appropriately, the vehicle chosen was an ex-Black and White unit from Cheltenham.
"Now, about dispatch arrangements?"
"Oh, leave it here and we'll Call later."
" But you are sending it abroad aren't you?"
"Oh, yes. We'll take an overland route to Nigeria, then we shall touch the Gold Coast, Togoland, the Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and finish up in Dakar."
Which all goes to show how much life must be left in British vehicles when they have made their last journey on the roads of these islands.