The Motor Omnibus World.
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Further meetings for members and associates of the Soc. M.O. Eng. will be held. at the Hotel Cecil on the second Monday in each month from now until March, 19oe. A discussion took place at the last meeting of the Birmingham Watch Committee, arising out of several complaints from residents along the routes where motor omnibuses run. After full discussion, it was resolved that the licenses for the service in question should be renewed.
The Isle of Wight motor omnibuses have been sold to the London and District Motor Bus Company for use in London. The Isle of Wight company has declared an interim dividend of 6 per cent. on its capital, and the only reason for the closing of the service is that an advantageous sale was arranged. The company has now ordered a similar number of 3oh.p. Milnes-Daimler vehicles, which are likely to prove more suitable for the Isle of Wight roads, and the service will be resumed early next spring. The new machines will be of the chars-a-banc pattern.
The requirements of the public carriage branch of the Metropolitan Police Office, New Scotland Yard, S.W., state that a license to drive a motor omnibus will not be granted to any applicant :(/) Unless he can read and write, and is clean in dress and person ; (2) if he be less than 21 years of age; (3) if he be under five feet in height; (4) if he be deemed unfit from any infirmity of mind or body; (5) if he be unable to produce testimonials of good conduct front two householders or ratepayers who have known him personally and have observed his conduct during the past three years, and unless he can obtain the signature of his last employer to the form of requisition supplied hint. Applicants residing in the country may send a recommendation from the chief officer of police of the district in which they live, or front two respectable persons, and the last employer, the recommendations being certified by the chief police officer to be genuine. Applicants must produce their motor driver's license for inspection and attend the public carriage office with a motor omnibus of the class they will (if approved) be licensed to drive, at 2 p.m. any week-day, to be tested as to their driving ability. This test takes place in the busy streets of London.
The motor bus project for Berlin has so far materialised that General Director Schmoll, of the Allgemeine Omnibusgesellschaft, was able to submit to the police, one day last 'week, a vehicle of the type which he proposes to put on the streets. Director Schmoll's sample is a Daintier with an engine developing some 2oh.p. It corresponds in the main with the type of omnibus plying in London, but it is claimed to be more roomy and more comfortable, besides being considerably higher. It is equipped with electric light, and also
heated—a sine qua non in a city where 20 degrees Fahrenheit below freezing point is not unusual in the winter. The seats are arranged crosswise and cushioned. Thirty-nine persons can be carried, and the bus has four speeds. "I here are three brakes, hand or foot, which work quite independently of one another. The tyres are of what the Germans call " Vollgummi," the twin pattern being used for the back wheels to prevent skidding. The police authorities expressed their admiration of the mechanical construction and general get-up of the bus. November will see the Daimlers working along the Eriedrichstrasse and connecting Hallesches Tor, in the south-west, with the Stettiner Balmhof, in the north. The route answers to the Charing Cross and Liverpool Street line, running right through the heart of the city. It is curious that the home of the Daimler— all the Milnes-Daimier omnibuses being built near Berlin— should be amongst the last to adopt the motor vehicle.
There were 149 motor omnibuses in London on Monday last, as, since our last fortnightly census, there has been an increase of 19 10 the number of these vehicles at work within the Metropcditan area. The London and District Motor Bus Company, Limited, has started the " White Arrow " line from Putney to Charing Cross, three of the seven Straker and Squire chassis delivered being at work on Monday last. Another important change has taken place in the service of the London Motor Omnibus Company, Limited, whose omnibuses, plying between St. John's Wool and Victoria, have been extended to Finchley Road Station at the one end and to Ebury Bridge at the other end. The name " Victory " has been removed from these omnibuses, and they are all now known as the " 'Vanguard." The inhabitants of St. John's Wood are believers in the old rule of " early to Led, etc.," and consequently these buses are withdrawn one by one during the evening and then finish on the Cricklewood and Elephant and Castle route. The three Leyland buses that have been plying between Surbiton and Ealing are included in the returns, although they were temporarily withdrawn on Sunday night to be repainted ; they will appear again on Thursday on an entirely new route. They have proved unable to compete with the horsed omnibuses on the Surbi ton-Peterslm tnRich m ondEaling route.
The Chief Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis has addressed the following letter to the owners of motor (mtnibuses in London. Consideration will be given to this matter at the next meeting of the council of the Soc. M.O. Eng.
Sir :—My attention has recently been drawn to the fact that many of the present style of motor omnibuses have more " sway " than appears safe or desirable, and, as a result of the observation specially kept upon them, there appears to be some ground for the complaint, especially when the vehicle is turning sharply to avoid traffic or to round a curve at a , high rate of speed. It may be that this " sway " is due to the fact that either (a) the present style of construction brings the centre of gravity too far from the ground and makes the bus somewhat top heavy, (b) the springs are too flexible, or (c) the wheel base is not sufficiently wide. In the case of the springs this might be met by using more or thicker leaves; but, with regard to the width, it is evident that an undue extension in this direction is not desirable.
I have, therefore, to ask whether it would not be possible in future to construct motor omnibuses of a less height than those at present in use, and to limit the number of outside passengers which may be carried; to this end I am advised that the chassis, fitted in every respect, could be constructed which would not exceed 32in. maximum height, and, if the body be lowered in proportion, more stability would be secured. Recognising that proprietors are always ready to assist in securing the most safe and serviceable type of vehicle for the peculiar needs of London traffic, I should be glad if you would give this matter your earnest attention, and favour me with any suggestions you desire to offer, on or before November ist next.
Motor Omnibus World—contd.
It is reported that the North-Eastern Railway Company intends to run a service of motor omnibuses between the terminus of the Sunderland Corporation tramways on the Whitburn Road, in order to serve Cleaton and East Boldon. The Leyland omnibus illustrated on page 68 of our last week's issue was one of a batch ordered per Hewetson's, Limited, of 251, Tottenham Court Road, London, W., through the instrumentality of Lt.-Col. Elton Burroughs, the managing director.
The Leicester Corporation has decided that any application to run motor omnibuses in that town will be dealt with by the hackney carriage licensing committee on its merits Similar resolutions have been passed by several other municipal proprietors of electric tramway undertakings. The London Road Car Company, Limited, has placed an order for fiva more of the Chelmsford double-deck omnibuses. Two other London omnibus companies have also placed orders with Clarkson, Limited, for similar vehicles, and it is evident that the popular features of the steam vehicle are bearing fruit. Silence of running, freedom from smell, and reduced fire risk, are advanced by the makers as points which deserve recognition.
It is of interest to note that the motor omnibus plying between Giersbach and Baden-Baden recently completed its ',tooth trip, not a single hitch having occurred on any journey. Not long ago one of the buses rendered invaluable service in the case of a lire which broke out in a Black Forest village lying some 2,500ft. above sea level. Within a few minutes 18 men of the nearest fire brigade were conveyed to the scene, and, thanks to the swiftness of the bus, were able to save considerable property from the flames. Had horse traction been used, the damage would have been greater, for the country is very hilly and severely taxes horses. We understand that a new motor line is projected between St. Blasien and Titiseet which are some 30 kilometres apart. Six omnibuses will work the service. The time cannot be far distant when the Black Forest will be covered with a network of motor lines.
The 24h.p. standard single-deck Thornycroft omnibus, which is running in connection with the London and SouthWestern Railway, between Farnham and Haslernere stations, is proving very successful. It will he remembered that an omnibus of lower power was put on this route some months ago, but the hills in the district proved too steep.
The managing director of the Motor Bus Advertising Company, Limited, whose London office is at Albany House, Albany Street, N.W., advises us that his company has secured the advertising rights on the "Arrow " services, which are operated by the London and District Motor Bus Company, Limited. The same arrangement has been granted by the City and Suburban Motor Bus Company.
The Berlin Press appears to be much disappointed that. London should leave the German capital behind in respect of motor omnibus services. The enthusiastic welcome which was accorded to a four-cylinder 24-26h.p. N.A.G. omnibus a few weeks ago, when it passed through Berlin in the course of a trial trip, gave rise to many lamentations on its being ascertained that the vehicle was for export. London has, to the surprise of the world, for once set an example to other cities in respect of additional travelling facilities.
A handbill issued by the London Motor Omnibus Company, Limited, announces a most delightful and unique tour, by a special "Vanguard" motor coach, which will leave London on the 18th of next month, subject to sufficient seats being previously booked. A 30-day tour to the south of France, visiting Nice, Monte Carlo, and Mentone, via Rouen, Orleans, Mon telimar, Avignon, Orange, Marseilles, Hyeres, and St. Raphael, returning via Grenoble, Dijon, and Paris. The inclusive fare, with first-class by rail and boat, is fixed at so guineas, inclusive of travelling tickets, hotel accommcxlation, meals en route, motor excursions, free conveyance of baggage, and the services of a competent conductor. This round includes some of the most interesting towns in France, with splendid views of the Alps and the Mediterranean. Passengers will leave London by rail or motor on the date named above, and seats may now be booked at the company's offices or with the principal ticket offices.