THE LATEST NEWS OF IMPORTANT EVENTS
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COMMISSIONERS DISREGARD REGULATIONS.
'INFRINGEMENT of the Licences and 'Certificates Regulations by the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners has formed the subject of successful appeals by J. W. North, Ltd., and S. Ledgard and Cream Bus Service, Ltd. The companies were granted licences for certain excursions and tours, but later the Commissioners announced emenda lions of the companies' licences, without giving them any opportunity of making representations.
The Minister of Transport considers that the Commissioners wece not justified in varying the licences without observing the Licences and Certificates Regulations. and orders the Commissioners to reinstate the licences to their original form.
In the case of S. Ledgard and Cream Bus Service, Ltd., the question of a certain fare is also involved. The Commissioners did not ask the company to offer justification for the continuation of an excursion fare, but in Gazette 106 they published their decision to grant the licence for the excursion affected, but with a different fare. The Minister orders the Commissioners to reinstate the fare to the original amount.
SLOGAN COMPETITION GOING WELL.
THE slogan competition organized by the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association is meeting with encouraging results. Already large numbers of attempts for the £100 prize have been received from all over the country, and many thousands of free entry forms have been distributed.
The Road Haulage Association has made a handsome donation to the fund. This generous action of an organization not concerned with passenger transport should serve as an encouragement to all those in the public-service-vehicle business to give their financial support to a worthy object, Support has also been forthcoming from all the London coach stations and certain fedeeated companies.
Subscriptions should be addressed to the secretary, M.H.C.S.A., 17, Euston Road, London, NAVA.
IS LEYLAND BUS REAR LIGHTING ADEQUATE?
A PROSECUTION of interest to all ' operators of Leyland double-deck buses was concluded at Darlington, on January 11, when Eve drivers employed by United Automobile Services, Ltd., were ordered to pay costs for not having the rear identification numbers on their buses properly illuminated. Notice of appeal was given.
The cases were heard originally on January 4, but the magistrates reserved their decision in order to make a personal inspection of the vehicles.
At the original hearing, the police said that all five cases were identical.
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The question was not one of obscuring by mud, but purely of bus design. The rear identification numbers were painted on the window and illuminated by a bulb covered by a frostedglass shade, some 3 ft. away. This light also served to illuminate the rear platform. The numbers could not, it was stated, be read 15 yds. away.
For the defence, an official of Leyland Motors, Ltd., said that the type of bus concerned had passed exhaustive tests by the Ministry of Transport. There were 9,000 similar vehicles in use in the country, and, of these, 50-60 per cent, had their rear numbers illuminated in the way described.
WELSH OPERATOR DEAD.
THE death took place on Monday, at the age of 52 years, of Mr. Edward Davies, of Llwydcoed. the well-known Aberdare coach proprietor.
FURTHER ATTEMPT AT STATION DISPUTE SETTLEMENT.
ANOTHER unsuccessful attempt
was made, last week, by the Northern Road Transport Owners' Association to reach an amicable settlement in the Haymarket municipal bus-station dispute at Newcastle.
The watch committee will not reopen negotiations for a settlement until the bus operators recognize the authority as the landlord and pay off the standage clues now in arrears.
It is understood that the legal representatives of the committee and the Association had reached an agreement, which included the withdrawal of summonses against operators for using the station in contravention of the committee's orders, and the removal of obstructions in the station. This was not entertainet1 by the committee. YORKSHIRE SEASONAL SERVICE RESTRICTIONS.
T HERE is a hope that the difficulty
caused by the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners' restrictions on seasonal express services between Yorkshire towns and seaside resorts may be smoothed out without the matter being taken to appeal.
A. deputation from the Yorkshire Stage Carriage Operators' Association interviewed the Commissioners, last Tuesday, and the results of the interview are to be considered at a joint • meeting of representatives of that Association, Yorkshire Motor Coach • and Transport Owners' Association, and the Commercial Motor Users' Association.
It is believed that concessions are likely to be made with regard to the number of vehicles allowed, although it seems clear that the principle of limitation will be maintained. Another point which has been raised is the prohibition of day-return and single fares. It is understood that these fares may be allowed on routes not served by stage carriages.
EWER'S LICENCE TRANSFER APPLICATIONS ADJOURNED.
APPLICATIONS by George Ewer and Co., Ltd., for the transfer of the licences of Monty Super Coaches (London-Walton-on-the-Naze service) and Sid Page, Ltd. (London-Yarmouth service) were adjourned by the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner, last Tuesday.
On Monday the applications were dealt with by the Eastern Commissioners, and the considerable opposition of °thee operators necessitated the postponement of the hearing until January 29. The Ewer concern originally intended to co-ordinate the acquired service with its own, saving two journeys a'day and many thousands of vehicle-miles a year, but these proposals had to be abandoned, as did a scheme for the introduction of intermediate fares.
The Eastern National Omnibus Co.. Ltd., Edward Hillman's Saloon Coaches, Ltd., and the Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., submitted that the London-Walton service of Monty Super Coaches was unnecessary. Partly in view of the heavy coach traffic on the road, Mr. Gleeson Robinson, the Commissioner, considered that he ought not to transfer the licence of Monty Super Coaches under the existing conditions. He adjourned both applications, so that a new scheme could be prepared.
LORRY OWNERS APPLY FOR BUS LICENCES.
'S a result of police action, certain operators in Yorkshire, who previously carried on lorries passengers with their goods to markets, have now applied to the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners for road-service licences. Attention was recently drawn to this matter in The Commercial Motor.
INADEQUATE PROTECTION ALLEGED: 19 APPEALS.
THE 19 appeals of the Llanelly Electric Supply Co., Ltd., were heard on January 11-12, when the company alleged that the South Wales Traffic Commissioners had given it inadequate protection for its trolleybus services, which had replaced the trams at a cost of £42,500. The Commissioners provided that higher fares should he charged on the competitive services of other bus companies, but refused to prohibit these from picking up and setting down passengers on the trolleybus routes.
This, the Llanelly concern considered, would be a fair form of protection, and the company pointed to a monopoly clause in the Llanelly Traction Act, 1929. It was contended that with the increased frequency permitted, in some cases, to rival organizations, co-ordination of "outside" services and the issue of special concession tickets by them nullified the protection condition.
The opposing concerns maintained that the protection was adequate.
WORKING AGREEMENTS: MR. HARKER'S STATEMENT. •
A GREEMENTS reached between two "parties cannot affect an application for a licence by a third party. This is in effect, a statement made by the chairman of the South-Eastern Traffic Commissioners , (Mr. Roward Harker, K.C.) when Elliott Brothers (Bournemouth), Ltd„ applied for a licence for excursions to certain sports 'meetings.
It was explained that the company had given an undertaking to Bournemouth Corporation that it would not run coaches to football matches in the immediate neighbourhood, so long as other " private services were not operated.
It was understood that another company, an application of which would shortly come before the Commissioners, agreed not to run services of this nature in the area.
Mr. Harker said that he would recommend to his fellow-Commissioners that the agreement between the corporation and Elliott Brothers (Bournemouth), Ltd., should not influence their minds in dealing with subsequent applications.
SERVICES CHANGING HANDS.
THE Yorkshire Traction Co., Ltd., Barnsley, has applied to the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioner for the transfer of express and stage-service and excursion and tour licences held by Mr. A. Bentley, and an excursion and tour licence of Mr. A. Howe.
Thomas A. Howard and Co., Whitby, is seeking the transfer of the excursion and tour licence of W. Milburn and Co., Messrs. Stephenson and Fotherby, Skipton, a stage-service licence of Messrs. Laycock and Sons, and Mr. S. Ledgard, Leeds, excursion and tour licences of S. Ledgard and Cream Bus Service, Ltd. In the East Midland area, Blue Bus Services (Scunthorpe), Ltd., is seeking a stage-service licence of Messrs. Holmes and Richardson and two licences, one for a stage service and the other for excursions and tours, of Messrs. G. Ridgley and Son. The Lincolnshire Road Car Co., Ltd., is applying for excursion and tour licences of Mr. C. W. Grantham and Mrs. M. Taylor.
M. OF T. ORDERS HIGHER FARES.
nN appeal, the Minister of Transport has ordered the Northern Traffic Commissioners to permit United Automobile Services, Ltd., Tyneruouth and District Electric Traction Co., Ltd., Wakefield's Motors, Ltd., and Newcastle Corporation to raise fares on certain routes. The reason for the applications to increase fares was inadequate revenue, whilst it may be recalled that an agreement with the London and North Eastern Railway Co. was involved.
The Minister states that, when considering fares, the Commissioners may properly consider what are the railway rates, in order to secure co-ordination.
BID FOR REMOVAL OF PROTECTION.
CERTAIN bus operators on the
Coniscliffe Road route, Darlington, are to apply to the Northern Traffic Commissioners for the removal of the protective fare granted to Darlington Corporation for its trolleybuses. The council is to oppose the applications.
BIG STATION FOR SHEFFIELD?
IT is proposed to erect a large central 'bus station in Pond Street, Sheffield. The station would be built on the most modern lines, and it is estimated that, at the height of the season, it would be used by 5,000 buses a week. M.H.C.S.A. DEMANDS REMOVAL OF PRO-RAILWAY POSTERS.
A STRONG protest against the anti
road-transport propaganda issued by King's College Hospital, London, has been made by the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association. The advertising matter concerned was exposed in last week's issue of The Commercial Motor.
Mr. F. A. Walker, secretary of the M.H.C.S.A., has addressed to Earl Beatty, chairman of the hospital, a letter denying the implication of the hospital that the 1,400 patients annually brought to it from the roads were injured by public-service vehicles. Mr.. Walker suggested a change in the appointment of the person responsible for this pro-railway policy, because it would alienate sympathy and reduce contributions to the hospital funds.
It was also pointed out that the road passenger transport industry provided work for a huge number of ex-Service men, and it was demanded that the poster should at once be withdrawn from all advertising sites.
At the time of closing for press the M.H.C.S.A. had not received a reply. It bad, however, received letters of thanks from other Associations for its action.
INCREASING PUBLIC SAFETY.
AN effort is being made in Lanca
shire to increase public safety by fixing stopping places and stands for buses away from danger points. The chief constable is issuing instructions to the police with a view to reaching agreements with local authorities as to " banned zones" for picking up and setting down passengers. It is suggested that, generally speaking, stands should not be established within 50 yards of an important road junction, 50 yards of a bend, a humpbacked or narrow bridge, etc., and 30 yards of a minoi junction. ANOTHER INDEPENDENT JOINS COMBINE.
IT is learned that Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., Preston, has acquired a controlling interest. in Wright Brothers (Burnley), Ltd., a coaching concern well known in the district
The latter company was registered in 1921 and has a capital of £4,000, and it is understood that the concern will be continued as a -separate entity. It iS one of the largest operators in the district NEW SEASON-TICKET SYSTEMS TO PREVENT FRAUD.
PERMISSION to substitute weekly tickets for 12 or 24 journeys for the existing 12-journey tickets available for 14 days from the date of issue was granted to Luton Corporation by the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioners, last Friday.
The Eastern National Omnibus Co., Ltd., was authorized to replace the present 12-journey tickets by standard six-day weekly tickets and to abolish 50-journey tickets. It was pointed out on behalf of both parties that the present systems lent themselves to fraud, but Dunstable Corporation and others maintained that the new proposals would cause hardship to a large number of persons.
Mr. Gleesou Robinson, the Commis
sioner, agreed that there appeared to be an opportunity of practising fraud by means of the present systems, but he thought that the new proposals might cause hardship to a large number of workers. On his recommendation, the parties concerned agreed to give credit to ticket holders who had not fully used their tickets.
ALL S.H.M.D. BOARD TRAMS TO GO.
IT is expected that before long. 'buses will replace the entire tramways fleet of the Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Duldntield Tramways and Electricity Board. Already most of the tramways have been abandoned, and the Board is to apply to the Minister of Transport for power to borrow £8,500 for the purchase of more buses.
BUSES FOR TRAMS AT PLYMOUTH. PLYMOUTH City Council has confirmed the minutes of the tramways committee recommending that buses replace the trams on three routes. The manager is to report as to the practicability and cost of replacing two further tram routes by trolley-bus services. Fourteen buses, six with oil engines and eight with petrol engines, are to he bought for £23,32L LICENCE SUSPENDED FOR EIGHT MONTHS.
THE Metropolitan Traffic Commis
' sioner has suspended from December 1, 1933, until August 3, 1934, the licence granted to Black and White Coaches (Leyton), Ltd., Leyton, in respect -of express services from headquarters.
We learn from the Commissioner's office that this penalty has been imposed on account of irregular running, and that the company was warned in 1932 against this practice. The date of the decision was January 12.
GOOD FUTURE FOR THE INDUSTRY—SIR J. MAXWELL.
THE view . that the road-passenger
transport industry is in its infancy and has ample possibility for expansion was expressed by Sir John Maxwell, chairman of the Northern Traffic Commissioners, at the annual dinner of Messrs. T. Allen and Sons, of Blyth, oil January 10.
Whilst he did not with to express an opinion on the tendency for smaller operators to be absorbed by the combines, Sir John remarked that it was the small men who had pioneered the industry Coma. R. Kirkland, Mayor of Blyth, said that he did not believe that the day of the small man had passed.