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PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.

The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.

G'

T indignation has been expressed in the Irish Free State at

the proposal of the. Government—referred to in our issue for last week— to introduce a Bill for the further taxation of motorbuses. Already it Las been stated that if the tax be insisted upon every bus service in the Irish Free State will be withdrawn as a protest. Such a course would cause more inconvenience than a similar state of affairs in any other part' of the British Isles. • So many parts of Ireland are unserved, or inadequately served, by the railways, that travelling by bus has beceme a universal custom.

If the proposed Bill be adopted, a tax of 1.d. per mile travelled will be imposed on buses carrying under 26 passengers, lid. per mile on buses carrying from 26 to 36 passengers, and 2d. per mile on buses carrying over 36 passengers.

The decided Owners' recently formed Irish Bus Protection Association has to take strong measures in opposition to the Bill, and at a recent meeting a special committee was appointed to deal with the subject. This committee consists of the following members c—F. T. Wood, managing director, Irish Omnibus Co., Ltd.•, Major Waller, managing director, Irish Express Co., Ltd. ; Eugene Lacy, Wexford and Dublin Bus Service ; Eoin

O'Keefe, Blue Line Bus Co.; A, D. A. Cottinghain, managing director, Connemara Omnibus Co.; John White, managing director, National Omnibus Co., Ltd. ; Mrs. K. Gilbert, managing director, Contemptible Bus Co. ; N. R. Morrow, Gordon Motor Service, Ltd. ; J. Agnew, H. M. S. Catherevood, Ltd.; J. McGatiran, Ballinamore; H. M. Ganaigan,, General. Bus Service ; H. E. Creeham, St. Anne's Bus .Service ; 3. EL Conneff, Red Car Bus Service.

• Speaking, at HAS meeting, Major J. IL D.S.O., who presided, said the tax would be equivalent to an increased cost of at least £300 per bus per annum. If 'persisted in by the Government it would result in stagnation, if not the annihilation, of the bus

ASALOON coach possessing luxury features which vie with those of an expensive private car made its appearance one day last week on a-neve longdistance service. The vehicle, the chassis of which is a Leyland Tiger; is operated on a service between _London and Manchester. Departure is made

industry and kindred trades in the Irish Free State. This new system of transport which had only had about three years in which to prove itself an economic factor of importance, had progressed to a degree beyond even the imagination of its pioneers.

Mr. Wood, the presideht of the Association, said that road transport was more heavily taxed in the Irish Free State than in any other State. The proposed tax, if adopted, would mean the complete paralysis of a system of transport which had proved itself essential to the well-being of the country.

Mr. :C. I. Walsh, the ex-Minister of Posts and Telegraphs in the Irish Free State Government, and other members of the Association also joined in the condemnation of the Government's proposals. A resolution was passed stating that the Association viewed with alarm the proposal to impose the tax, and entering a protest against ally attempt to impose further taxation on the bus industry.

from the office of Road Travel Bookings, Bush House, Aldwych, London, at 9 a.m., and the vehicle is due at the Manchester office of that concern at 7 p.m, A halt is mode at Market Harborough for lunch and at Matlock for tea. The return journey is commenced at 9 a.m, next morning-, lunch being available at Leicester and tea at Bedford, London being reached at 7 p.m. The vehicle is being run by Messrs. Palanquin Coaches.

The single fart for the through journey is 76s. 6d., the return fare being 80s. TiCkets are available, however, to several of the hiportant towns en route et which stops are made. Two-thirds of the full fare is charged for children under, the age of 12..

The -body was constructed by Christopher Dodson, Ltd., of Cobbold Road,. Willesden, London, and is intended. to. carry 20 passengers. The seats are upholstered in furniture hide and are of the armchair pattern, ample leg room being provided. For the Collwmi 2 nee of passengers there are writing tables, toilet accommodation and a small library.

The' interior lights are seParately controlled, and each seat is provided with a hell, enabling communication to be made with the driver. On the forward bulkhead is a glass disc fitted with an automatic catch, and when the locking device is manipulated the disc is displaced, thns allowing messages to be passed to the driver without unduly interfering with him. An even temperahire is maintained in the interior, by a central heating apparatus in which the exhaust gases are used,

The vehicle is mounted on lowpressure tyres. The coach performed well on its maiden journey, when it conveyed, among others, Mr. Collier. of

Fairways, Mr. Noel, the representative of the Great Western Express Services, the two sons of Mr. Christopher Dodson, who represented the bodybuilder, and Mr. Turnham, of Road Travel Bookings, from London to Manchester.

AT one time wood was the only material used extensively for the framework of passenger-vehicle bodies, but as developments proceeded in connection with design and construction, it was found possible to save considerable weight by the use of steel strengthening members, thus giving a composite form of construction, but of late attention has been turned to the use of bodies built of metal throughout. There is no doubt that this practice has much to commend it on the score of lightness, although it is, admittedly, more costly than the conventional wooden superstructure.

The use of the all-metal form of construction has Outlived its experimental stage and vehicles with bodies built on these lines are in use in many parts of the country, some of them having seen 1_1-2 years' service. Recently the Birmingham Corporation ordered a number of all-metal double-deck bodies from Short Bros. (Rochester. and Bedford), Ltd., after having had a body of this type in service for approximately twelve Months, during which it fulfilled the maker's claims and, we understand, gave highly satisfactory service.

In view of these developments it is interesting to learn that the East Surrey Traction Co., Ltd., an important passenger-vehicle .concern with headquarters at Reigate, is experimenting with a number of specially built open-top double-deck bodies fitted on fast, light chassis. The type of vehicle with which the company is experimenting is a 46-seater in which the Tilling-Stevens B1.0 A2-type chassis is used, this model being normally in No difficulty is experienced in mounting or dismounting, as each door is provided with a deep and convenient well. The doors for passengers' use are of the full-length type, one being just behind the front bulkhead.

tended for carrying single-deck bodies. The total weight of the double-deck body and seats is slightly less than 30 cwt., which is appreciably lighter than the average single-deck body eonstrncted on orthodox principles.

The dimensions of the body are

similar to those of a standard 52-seater vehicle, so that it is obvious that, in accommodating only 46 passengers, ample space has been left between the seats, thus ensuring the comfort and convenience a individual passengers.'

The body shell is constructed on the Short patent all-metal design. The entire body framing and floors are of the Northern Aluminium Co.'s 17 S.T. and 25 S.T. aluminium alloys, which have an ultimate tensile strength of 25-2,.,3 tons and, in addition, are practically non-corrosive.

The interior lining panels of the body are of waterproof birch threeply, covered with leather-cloth to match the upholstery. The seats for both upper and lower decks are of light welded steel tube construction and they

have semi--rigid backs. Those in the lower saloon have spring eases of good depth and deep back squabs, upholstered in hand-buffed leather, whilst the usual type of wooden seatboard is used for the upper-deck seats. In order to give increased riding comfort, however, these are mounted on a combination of rubber blocks and coil springs ; in our picture of the seating layout of the top deck one of the covers is turned back to show the position of the springs.

The roof also has an inner lining of birch three-ply and is finished with Linerusta,which is white enamelled, thus giving a clean appearance. Three Beelawat sliding windows are fitted at each side and further ventilation is provided by a series of horizontal louvres along each side ; these extract foul air from the interior, via a series of small apertures in the double-roof panelling.

Interior illumination is effected by means of eight roof lamps, and the wiring for them is carried in aluminium alloy conduit tubing. All the route indicators, number and destination hoards are of the illuminated roller-blind type and are actually built into the framework, thus preserving the symmetrical appearance of the body and overComing unsightly projections.

The total weight of the chassis corn 'Plete with 35 gallons of petrol, oil, water and electrical equipment is 3 tons 3 cwt., and when loaded to its rilHE motorbus route between Halifax

and Rochdale, through Sowerby Bridge, Ripponden, and over the Blackstone Edge ivloors to Littleborough has been, up to the present time, an ill, fated one to those who have operated it. The London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co., empowered under the Act which caused so much controversy a year ago, intended to open their motorbus services on this route, but they have been linable to commence with any flourish of trumpets or other rejoicing to mark the acquisition. of new powers.

It was announced that the company 'would commence their own service early in December, and, after trial runs over the route and the training of railway staffs in the new duties on the road, they received a setback by thc refusal of some of the licensing authorities to approve the type of bodywork obtained for service. These were Leyland Lion single-deckers, and trouble has arisen concerning emergency doors. •

The result was that the Rochdale Corporation was compelled to continue with the service from which they had arranged to withdraw. The route was first ..opened by the .tramways department of the Halifax Corporation, when It was intended to operate a number of long-distance services. I-Talifax ran the service for. some time and contended that its vehicles met a public demand.

Then the West Riding County Council and • other bodies.'stepped in, and two Ministry of Transport, impaIries were held. The West Riding County Council contended that such a long service could not be operated for the benefit of the ratepayers of Halifax. and

that, in running such services, Halifax Corporation was acting in contravention of the powers granted to it by Parliament.

The railway companies running into Halifax, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co., and the London and North-Eastern Railway Co., both objected to the proposals made by the Halifax authorities, and, it is curious to note, put forward the plea that the railway facilities were adequate. Later,

full seating capacity, the bus, with driver and conductor, weighs approximately 7 tons 13 cwt.

the West Riding County Council stepped in and secured a High Court injunction against the Halifax authorities, but, immediately before these proceedings, the corporation had taken its buses off the road. Meanwhile' the Rochdale Corporation had arranged for a joint service and continued to run, T"pact between the Belfast Corporation and some of the principal bus owners on the matter of traffic control in Northern Ireland continues to be a subject of eonsiderable importance in the province. Several rural councils, including those of Newry, Castlederg, Antrim, and Omagh, have adopted resolutions ex pressing dissatisfaction with the arrangement ; other councils have .called special meetings to deal with the subject, and one council, whilst not adopting the resolution of protest, has decided to make representation to the Ministry of Home Affairs with the object of having the rights of local motor-coach owners safeguarded.

In the meantime, the Northern Government is being condemned at meetings held all over the country for its

hilt a similar objection -was made to its participation in the service, and arrangements were made for the railway company to take over when Rochdale Corporation ceased running its vehicles.

The route is a very difficult one to operate in winter owing to the severity of the weather experienced on thee heights over the Pennines. There is a continuous climb from Littleborough from NO ft. above sea-level to 1,269 ft, at the top. The road is exposed for miles and open to the moorland, and when the snow drifts the road is often impassable. The Rochdale Corporation has used Dennis vehicles on this route. As we close for Press we learn that yesterday (Monday) was the starting date for the service by the railway company.

part in arranging this pact, and the Ministry of Home Affairs has found It necessary to send a circular letter to all hus owners in the province, big and Small, with the object of removing misapprehensjons concerning the traffic agreement,

In the circular, it is pointed out that, whilst the Belfast Corporation will be responsible for public transport in Belfast and for a quarter of a mile beyond the tramway termini, more suitable stands -will be provided for buses running between the city and outside districts.

It has become increasingly clear, proceeds the circular, that unrestricted bus competition is not in the interests of the public or the proprietors. The public must have a satisfactory service at reasonable fares and, on the other hand, the bus proprietors are entitled to a reasonable return on their capital.

The Ministry intends to make no distinction whatever between large and small bus proprietors. All proprietors who have provided a satisfactory service on a particular route will receive protection so long, but only so long, DS they serve the public well. The issuing of licences will, in the future, mainly depend on the service in operation on August 27th last, and onl with the

Ministry's consent will nces be granted for vehicles operati on fresh routes.

In determining wheth r consent should be given, the Ministry will consider the public needs, the existing transport facilities, including those given by the railways, and the ability

APROPOSAL is on foot to establish a road service by luxury coaches between Hull and London, and Messrs. Fleetways, who have head offices at Hampole, near Doncaster, and who are responsible for the enterprise, have I already made application for the necessary licences to the various local authorities concerned.

The route will be a direct one and will pass through Doncaster, Gains.

Morecambe Corporation recommends the provision of three new bus services.

The highways committee of the York Corporation has decided to allow buses to stand on vacant land in Piccadilly at a charge of is. per day.

The London County Council has now prepared the necessary Parliamentary Bill in connection with the scheme for traffic co-ordination in London.

The Firestone Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., is purchasing from the Middlesex County Council two acres of land on the Great West Road at 1850 per acre.

The Earl of Cranbrook and Mr. Bertram Geier have been appointed members of the London County Council Special Committee on Traffic, and Sir John Gatti has been selected vicechairman of the committee. to provide an adequate and satisfactory service: This does not necessarily mean that licences will be refused for vehicles placed on any new route since August 27th.

No saleable interest in licences will be permitted where an authorized service is discontinued. The licences must be surrendered to the Ministry, which may issue them to any other person, or not issue them at all. It is also pointed out that it does not follow that the purchaser of a proprietor's complete bus interest will be refused licences. It is made perfectly clear that each case will be considered on its merits in the Eight of the various • principles which have been outlined.

borough, Lincoln, Sleaford and Peterborough. We understand that limitedstop coaches are not at present operating on this route, which passes through some attractive scenery, and although Halifax Corporation is seeking powers to run motorbuses on tramway routes outside the town.

Doncaster Corporation is seeking an Order to enable the tramways services to be converted for trolley-bus operation.

Hampshire County Council has decided in favour of the construction of by-pass roads at Winchester, Havant, Lyndhurst, Totton, Romsey and Ringwood.

The Ministry of Transport is to hold an inquiry into the appeal of Mr. J. R. Tognarelli against the refusal of the Manchester Watch Committee to grant him licences for bus services.

The Motor vehicles of the London Salvage Corps now carry a miniature pump which can be connected up to the engine so as quickly to pump out water from the flooded basements of buildings.

it is approximately 10 miles longer than the route via the Great North Road, it is less congested, and, therefore, permits good average speeds to be maintained— an obvious necessity on long-distance road services.

During the winter months it is the intention of Messrs. Fleetways to run a thrice-weekly service in each direction, which it is thought will be sufficient to meet present needs, and then in the early spring of next year to establish a daily connection between Hull and London. The firm is fully alive to the necessity of other services of a similar character in this part of the country and will give consideration to their inauguration as the demand for them becomes apparent.

The vehicles chosen for the Hull-toLondon service are Gifford 20-seaters, with luxury-type bodies, in which provision is made in the interior for the accommodation of passengers' luggage. Subject to the necessary sanction being received, it is anticipated that the service will be established on December 17th. At a later date we hope to be in a position to give further details of the service, including particulars relating to fares, time schedules, booking agents, etc.

Cheltenham Watch Committee has fixed a charge of 1s. 3d. per vehicle per night for travelling showmen and others when parking their vehicles at the market.

Chesterfield Watch Committee has deferred consideration of an application by the Gladwyn Car Parlour Services, Ltd., for licences to ply for hire between Nottingham and Liverpool, via Chesterfield.

To, prevent street congestion, Weymouth Corporation has fixed a schedule of streets for different classes of traffic, reserving some of them for light traffic and others for heavy solidtyred vehicles.

Although the use of Walton county bridge by locomotives is not allowed, several heavy steam motors have lately crossed the bridge and the Middlesex County Council is to prosecute drivers who have offended in this respect.