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A LUXURIOUS HIRE SERVICE.

9th February 1926
Page 27
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Page 27, 9th February 1926 — A LUXURIOUS HIRE SERVICE.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The Operation and Upkeep of a Big Fleet of Cars and Ambulances.

flESPITE the fact that the number of private motorcars is increasing by leaps and bounds, there is a large number of people who find it more convenient to hire cars as and when they require them. In addition, there are visitors to these shores who do not desire to bring their own ears with them, risking damage during sea transit, and consequently find the need for a hire service providing efficiency and comfort, and, most important of all, equipped with cars which are not obviously hired vehicles. Yet a third class exists, embracing motorists whose own machines are not suitable for important social functions.

In 191D, Daimler Hire, Ltd., of 243, Knightsbridge, London, S.W.7, was established to provide the twentieth century equivalent of the old-fashioned establishment where it was possible to hire a well-turned-out carriage and pair with coachman and footman. The success of this concern can be judged from the size of its present fleet, namely, 250 vehicles, and the annual fleet mileage, which amounts to some 4,000,000.

At the present time two garages are in use, that in Knightsbridge and the otherin Store Street. The work is divided between the ears housed in these premises according to circumstances. The head office is in Knightsbridge, and the same premises include a two-floor garage complete with stores, repair dock, upholstery repair shop, coachwork repair bay and fuel filling points, together with washes and such departments connected with internal operation as a tailor's shop for the drivers' uniforms.

As to the cars themselves, there are 247 of them and three de luxe ambulances. All are six-cylinder models of 35 h.p., 45 h.p. and 57 h.p., carrying laud:Inlet bodies, accommodating six persons each, exclusive of the driver. The finish and condition of these vehicles are well known to the majority of London residents and there is nothing to indicate that they are other than privately owned motorcars. Twice a year the coachwork is reglased and varnished; and, of course, running 'repairs to the bodies and upholstery are done 5as occasion demands. Two sets of detachable dust covers for the cushions are provided for each'car, one in use and one either in the company's own laundry or in the stores in readiness for fitting. One rug is issued to each car and further supPlies may be had in case of long-distance jobs. Every year a partial clearance is madei of the fleet, no ear being kept in service longer than about four years. This means that the fleet is kept up to date, and evidence of this lies in the equipment of a number of the cars with four; wheel brakes, low-pressure tyres and the new type of engine having steel sleeves. The vehicles average some 15,000 miles per annum, and, as mentioned later, they are completely overhauled every year. In the interests of efficiency the driver remains with one car at all times, except in cases of emergency, such as sickness; the driver even accompanies his car into the workshops and assists the fitters in many of the minor operations. This tends to keep alive the men's interest in their vehicles and also fixes the responsibility better in case of any query.

Thoroughness is the keynote of the office work, and careful records are kept of the life history of every vehicle, its accomplished in the Hendon workshops of the Daimler Co. These shops include the plant formerly housed in the Daimler Hire, Ltd., Chelsea repair works, therefore the facilities of both concerns are available. At Knightsbridge odd jobs are dealt with, such as running repairs, as are coachwork maintenance and the monthly dock overhaul, which takes about one day per car per month.

The tyres are maintained on a maintenance contract basis by the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd. The cleanliness and efficient equipment of the Knightsbridge repair section are striking features. Any car upon which work is being done is carefully protected by dust sheets both as to the varnish and upholstery, and when it becomes necessary to run an engine the exhaust pipe is coupled to a flexible outlet, thus preventing noxious gases from circulating round the shop.

Now a word as to the drivers themselves. It is a general rule of Daimler Hire, Ltd., that only drivers with 10 years' private-service experience are taken on, and they must have a clean record both as to conduct and driving ability. A very complete outfit is provided, and the smart appearance of the men is maintained by the services of a tailor, who keeps their clothes clean and pressed. There is no mark to distinguish the Daimler driver from the private chauffeur. Trouble and bothering formalities on the part of clients have been eliminated so far as possible, there being no forms to fill in, and by means of careful office work, queries with regard to mileage, times and arrangements are avoided. The drivers are booked in and out, and they clock in and out as well. Mileage recorder readings are taken both on leaving and entering the garage.

It is interesting to note that during the winter there are approximately three local jobs to one country one, whereas in the summer the reverse is approximately correct. Daimler Hire ears are by no means confined to service inthis country. -Continental touring is on the increase, but the volume of this class of business depends largely upon important happenings abroad. During our visit to the premises at Knightsbridge.we were shown a car which was being prepared for a foreign tour, which would, in all probability, amount to no less than 10,000 miles, through France, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Holland. Naturally, for such work as this, drivers with a knowledge of various languages and foreign routes are proVided.

One branch of the activities of Daimler Hire, Ltd., deals with ambulance work. About one job per ambulance per day is the rule, and many cover long distances. The comfort provided by these vehicles is, necessarily, one of the dominant features in undertaking the transport of invalids.

Despite the sire and lavish equipment of the concern, the

scale of tariffs is reasonable. For example, during the winter months a six-seater may be had from 6 p.m. to midnight-, covering up to .25 miles in the meantime, for 25s, The most popular use for a hire of this description is of course, for theatre work. Day hires are at the rate of •1s. per mile, plus 5s. per hour, with a minimum of one guinea. A seasonal basis is used, but the principle‘of a combination of mileage and time is adhered to. Ambulance tariffs are two guineas for two hours or 10 miles, with excesa at the rate of 2s. per mile, or 14s. per hour.

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Locations: London

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