The Progress of Passenger Transport.
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riiHE PAST year has seen more activity in con nection with passenger transpoit by road than has ever been witnessed, and. there is every sign that the development will be continued this year with greater vigour.
Many municipal authorities which have hitherto. put their faith in a tramway system are finding their idol is toppling, if it has not already fallen. Even the most conservative have been forced to • turn their attention to means of transport other. than the rallbound tramcar, partly because of the losses which are being sustained through its retention, following upon the great increase in the cost of permanent-way renewals, and partly ' because of the high factor of traffic obstruction, which, with the increase in congestion, occurring' particularly in the bigger cities, is becoming more and more intolerable. The trolley-bus is proving itself a useful link in this connection, as, through it, use can still be made of the output of the power station.
Buses also are taking their rightful place, and once established, often as feeders to tramway systems, soon gain the .adherence of the travelling public, who call for bus-service extensions rather than increased tramcar services or even the maintenance of tramcar services already existing.
Privately operated bus systems are also making great progress.. There is often a marked degree of cordial reciprocation between various owners which tends to a linking-up of individual services and, consequently, provides more facilities for passengers. • • Rural communities are benefiting to an enormous extent through the coming of the country bus, and there no longer exists that repugnanee. to living at places which, only a year Or two ago, were only accessible by train and even then involved . a road journey, sometimes of miles, to and from the nearest station.
Gdaching has now a firm grip on the public fancy, and not a passing one at that. With the great. improvements which have been effected in chassis and bodies, providing speedy and comfortable travel, the coach is becoming intruth the poor man's motorcar, as well as the rich man's pleasure.
'• Despite the great increase in the rumber of private cars, many people still avail themselves of the services of the private-hire vehicles, and well-established companies who specialize in catering for their requirements appear to find the trade a profitable one.
The taxicab business, whilst at the moment in an uncertain state, so far as London is concerned, owing to the question of fares, appears to be thriving, for more and more cabs are being put on the streets throughout the country, and these of most up-to-date types. It remains to be seen what effect the two-seater cab will have, but we believe there is room for both this type and the four-seater.
So far as Improvements in passenger-vehicle chassis are concerned, these have been really remarkable, particularly in the models built for coaches and buses. General safety in operation has been greatly improved by lowering the centre of gravity, which reduces rolling on corners and skidding whilst permitting better facilities for entrance and exit, the employment of four-wheel brakes—in many eases servo-operated—and the use of pneumatic tyres. Power units have not been neglected, and whilst their dimensions have net been increased they have been so improved that the power curve is almost straight, up to speeds which enable an excellent road performance to be attained.
Improvements and Development in the Bodywork of Public-service Vehicles.
ANOTEWORTHY feature of the bodywork of the modern bus and coach is that more attention Is now paid to the safety of the passenger. This has been made possible owing to the introduction of the low loading-line. The motor bodybuilder has made full use of the advantages so offered by reducing the number of steps and increasing the ease of access. For the frontentrance bus the mechanically operated door has become very popular' and is of special value in preventing accidents, and no body of this type is now built without an effective emergency exit.
The use of hand poles is another commendable feature, since it enables the passenger ta proceed with confidence inside the moving vehicle. Incidentally, the hand pole has been fo=j. to be quite a valuable asset in increasing the rigidity of the side framework, and it also helps to support the roof.
The passenger, having entered the vehicle and gained his seat with a minimum of effort, finds accommodation provided which, in most instances, gives a greater degree of comfort than has been enjoyed hitherto. If the vehicle is full he may criticise the rather cramped allowance, but he will do well to reflect that the public-service vehicle proprietor is giving more value in cervices rendered than is experienced in other directions ; he is not making huge profits, but rather spending any available surplus in acquiring better vehicles. The general design is also restricted by licensing authorities, who must base their regulations on the average width of our highways.
If seating room has to be limited, more adequate ventilation, by the use of drop windows and other devices, is a practical attempt to do the utmost few the comfort of the rider in the circumstances, whilst, with the open coach, the means provided D18 for protection from the weather have, in many instances, the same measure of effectiveness and refinement as is found on the private car.
With regard to general appearance, the modern coach is modelled on the lines of a smart touring car and many buses have outlines similar to the of a private saloon or limousine.
From the constructional point of view, the typical passenger body—that is to say, the bus— be it a single or double-decker, is a highly creditable example of weight reduction. This has been made possible by the elimination of heavy body plate forgings and the introduction of light steel tlitchings and corner brackets and the better arrangement of the framework generally. It is highly probable :that further improvements will tend in the direction of the body being yet more of an engineering structure with the more free use of metals, and it is only a.question of tune before tin nitro-cellulose system of painting supplants the ordinary varnish finish, as it seems to be a factor which should assist in reducing the cost of maintenance.
The Road Vehicles Bill Draws Nearer.
ON the opening day of the new session of Parliament, Col. Ashley gave notice of his intention to introduce a Bill dealing with road vehicles. The matter was also mentioned among the legislative projects set out in the King's Speech. There is thus a fair prospect of the long-delayed reform of motor-vehicle legislation being passed this year, the new measure dealing with axle weights and speeds of vehicles, the carrying of loads upon more than four wheels, the regulation of public-service . vehicles, etc.
Notice of Bills on the opening day of Parliament is part of the ancient process of asserting the independ?nce of the Commons by doing some ordinary business before consideration of the King's Speech, and usually Bills thus specifically mentioned are introduced at an early date in the session.
The Bill will in certain important matters give power to the Minister of Transport to apply the provisions of the Act by way of Orders and Regulations, and in order that there may be no unnecessary delay in putting the Act into operation, these Orders and Regulations are ready in draft, and their issue would take place within a few weeks of the Royal Assent being given to the Bill.