AN ORGANIZATION OF OMNIBUS PROPRIETORS.
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IT WILL be recalled that in our issue for November 15th we gave preliminary details of the formation of an association to-protect the interests of.owners of motorbusesin South Wales,•Gloucestershire and Herefordshire. That the association is not content to rest on its ideas of co-operation, but to follow up its plans with prompt action, is evidenced by the proceedings at a recently well-attended meeting held at the Park Hotel, Cardiff, when many matters hound up with the interests of omnibus proprietors were thoroughly discussed.
It may be mentioned that the association is confined to members owning not less than two buses which are licensed by. a local authority to run on a regular service to a definite time schedule and to a rated scale of charges.
At the recent meeting the general secretary, Mr. T. It. Jenkins, reported on the increased membership of the association and referred to the numerous applications for further information which had been received from several parts of the country, and it was decided that the question of propaganda work could safely be left to the executive and that it could 'make . whatever arrangements were considered-best 'in dealing with
these requests. ,
Appreciation was shown of the services rendered by officers of, the association ,in settling several disputesas between proprietors operating over the same routes, andthus preventing cut-throat competi-lion and securing a more amicable and harmonious spirit of working.
The secretary also reported on his visit and appeal to a licensing authority, and to. having secured from it a reversal of a previous decision, to the advantage of a member of. the association.
It . may be remembered that in the preliminary details we poblished reference was made to the fact that one of the objects of the 'association was to Set up and maintain a system of combined or -collective . purchasing of all those essentials which are required in connection with the operation of buses. This matter was fully discussed at the meeting, and the report of the executive on the favourable position attained with reference to the purchase of tyres, petrol and oils was such that it was asked to continue negotiations and to make whatever .arrangements were considered
necessary and desirable in this connec tion. •
The result of the purchasing decision-was -that all 'present untinimbusly -agreed that "a limited. companybe promoted of-.the members and officers' of the association for the purpose of securing Capital to carry on the trading section of the association,' and the question of -articles of association 'end agreerhent were left to the executive to prepare and report to an .early meeting of the association."
The enthusiasm shown at this meeting augurs well for the future of the association, and it unquestionably proved that only a lead was required to show .what could be done -by mutual co-Operation and by the better understanding of canals bus • proprietors' reliaireinents. It 7 -was expressly 'stated and understood that part of the profits onstrading were to-be transferred to the fund* of the isiocia, tion, and all those at the meeting loyally promised their co-operation and support.
The address of the association is at Kings Chambers, Newport, Monmouth • shire, and the chairman of the association Is Mr. T. White, of White and Co., of Barry, the vice-chairman being Mi. E. Mountain, of the South Wales Commercial Motors, Ltd.
Buses Competing with Express . Railway Services. • •
A bus service recently inaugurated by the Vulcan Motor Serylces .()arlington), Ltd., between Darlington and Northallerton .oPerfs, up .a somewhat new phase of the industry, for, whilst the, bus has ,.roved itself admirably suit-ed to joining up remote and scattered districts, it is seldom that serious attempts have been made to offer, competition in express railway services.
As ii known; both" towns are on 'the main line north, but compartively few expresses call at both places, and therefore the need existed for a quick road service, which the Vulcan Co. were enterprising enotighto *realize: , The outcome IS a regular two-hourly service, the actual running time for the 15 Miles separating the two • towns being 55 minutes. Smart. Vulcan saloon omnibuses on pneumatic tyres are being operated
over the route. . r ' Other directions in which the company are catering for" the transport of the Darlington public are by the provision of a half-hourly 'service between the town and Croft Spa, four miles away, and a circular route inside the town boundaries.