PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
Page 58
Page 59
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.
BRITISH BUSES FOR CHINA.
Brief Details of Two Guy Vehicles Just Delivered to a Prominent Company in Shanghai.
WE have on several occasions in the past referred in our columns to the activities of the China General Omnibus Co., Ltd., which runs a large number of buses from its headquarters in Shanghai, and we are led once again to mention the company by reason of its recent purchase of two 30-seater buses of British make, the vehicles having just been completed in the works of Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Park, Welverhampton. We reproduce exterior and interior views of one of the buses, and the latter shows that passengers are accommodated on longitudinal seats running the full length of the vehicle. This picture also shows the series of removable trap-doors in the floorboards, which enable the whole of the transmission mechanism to be readily reached.
A feature of the body is that special shutters are used to cover the windows, thus preventing the glare of the sun from penetrating the interior. These shutters can be raised or lowered as required, and when in the former position are held by neat bolts.
The chassis is the maker' § forwardcontrol, drop-frame pattern, in which a
34 h.p. power unit is incorporated, but the company has departed from its customary practice of using a half-width cab, instead of which the whole driving, position is enclosed for the full width of the body sides. In spite of this arrangement, however, the engine is quite accessirble and can be easily reached through the forward door on the near side, the space behind which is ample to permit any adjustment to be made without the mechanic being unduly cramped. The passenger entrance
Furness experience all tne conditions that are usually encountered in industrial towns, notably the uneven distribution of traffic and the uncertain demand for single-seat bookings. When, however, industrial conditions in the town are fairly normal there is plenty is at the rear, the opening being, deep and wide. The interior is Well illuminated and Airvac ventilators are fitted in the roof. It is evidently intended to carry standing passengers, for a number of straps is suspended from the roof.
Although the design of the body is slightly different from the type usually found in single-deckers on service in this country, it is in every sense an up-to-date production, the special features which it contains being mainly introduced to meet conditions associated with passenger-vehicle operation in Shanghai. Both of the buses . just delivered are shod with pneumatic tyres, twins being used at the rear, and lifeguards protect the space between front and rear wheels.
of interest in private party excursions. There are seven or eight motor coach owners in the town, who control .16 open coaches and six saloon coaches, Four of them operate only one coach each, and of the remainder the largest fleet is that of Messrs. Harley and Johnson, whose fleet comprises four 14-seater Fiats, a 28-seater Halley and a 22-seater Boo saloon. Not a single motor coach working from Barrowin-Furness is running on -solid tyres.
One gathers the impression from interviews with local owners that there is a feeling in favour of saloon coaches, but, whether this will survive is questioned. In any case, it must be noted that the Barrow motor coach proprietors are proceeding cautiously and, whilst they are not averse to the totally enclosed vehicle, are not disposed to anticipate public requirements. "It is my personal opinion," said Mr. Harley, of Messrs'. Harley and Johnson (Pearl White Coaches), "that the open coach will reassert its popularity to an unbounded degree. Our tours penetrate into very rugged country and half the pleasure of the outing is to be found in the beautiful scenery adjacent to the route. Enclosed coaches• tend to obscure the line of vision and, on a beautiful summer's day, that is likely to irritate passengers who, in our case, are mainly holiday-makers bent on enjoying the open country. Protection against bad weather is certainly needed, but that can be provided without going to the extent of having a rigid roof."
The Barrow-in-Fmmess motor-coaching season is of very short duration, lasting only three months, from June to August. From September, traffic registers a marked decline, and during the six winter months, from October to March, is quite negligible. Endeavours have been made in larrow-in-Furness to create an undertanding amongst coach owners to enure the uniform acceptance of touring sites, and one such effort involved the ,ropesal that each owner should conribute £25 to a common fund as a uarantee of his bona-fide observance f the decisions of the association. The latter did not progress beyond the prosisal stage, with the result that keenly ompetitive conditions occur frequently, specially in connection with privatearty work. ,The limits of motorcoaching fares, .owever, have not shown any change Luring the past two or three years. /wing to the huge industrial interests f the town, which gives employment o many thousands of workers, there is . ready disposition on the part of resients to avail themselves of touring opiortunities. and private‘party.tours ecome much in demand. Whilst Most • viners issue a schedule of fares for this lass of transport, slight variations' conetimes occur, and these decide the llocation of contracts.
Private-party quotations are as ollow:-Reswick and Ullswater; lls.er passenger ; Keswick, Ss. 6d."; Kes-, rick and Kendal, 10s.; Kendal, 6.s. ; Cendal and Morecambe, Pa.; Moremho, Sc.; Kirkby Lonsdale and Mereambe, 10s. 6d.; Coniston and Kendal,' s. 64.; Blackpool, 10s. 64.; Souihnort, 5s. ; Liverpool, 15s.. 6d.; Manchester, 5a. (hi.; Whitehaven and Keswick, 2s.; Carlisle, 15s. 6d.; Grasmere, s. 6d.; Dungeon Ghyll, 6s. 6d.; Bowless,• Ingleton (Yorkshire), 6c1.;Clpham Caves, Yorkshire, s. 6d.; Cumberland tour (viewing n ekes), Ms, 6d.; Westmorland tour,
15s. 6d.; Keswick and Borrowdale Valley, 10s. 6d.; Penrith, 12s.; Keswick and Bassenthwaite Lake, 10s. 64.; Ulpha Valley, Os.; Ravenglass and Miniature Railway, 6s. 6d. ; Hawkshead, 5s. 6c1. For single-seat bookings the fares are is. extra per passenger. The above fares work out at from 14. to lid. per passenger per mile.
The afternoon tours are, as a rule, -well supported and there is also fairly generous patronage of short afternoon and evening tours. Of the long-distance tour from Barrow-in-Furness, the most popular is that to Keswick and Hllswater, although all the tours to thebeauty spots in the Lake District command good suppOrt.
Fully 50 per cent, of the Barrow-inFurness coaches are of the small type seating not more than 20 passengers. The Barrow-in-Furness Corporation operates afleet of 10 Guy 24-seater buses and a Chevrolet, and have a working arrangement with iN•fessrs: Creighton and Sons, of Ulverston, who have a
fleet of Associated-Daimlers and G.M.C. coaches, for through bookings from Barrow-in-Furness to the Lake Dis
trict. The corporation has running powers along the coast road to Inverston, but the inland main road to this point is the preserve of the Furness Omnibus Co., Ltd., and of a few ownerdrivers.
At the time of our visit to Barrowin-Furness, the tramways department of the corporation was displaying streamers across the main roads advertising its coast road services and the through booking facilities. The fare from the Town Hall or White House to Lakeside is 3.s. ; to Grange it is 3s. 64.,
and to Coniston, 4s. Thkse cheap tickets represent very good value, and the tours are well supported. The corporation serves a number of local districts, which involves the working of about four routes on which there is a frequent. service of buses.. Fares very from ld. to 6d., according; Of course,
to the length of the journey. .