SENSIBLE SCHEME FOR ROCHDALE
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HOWthe staggering of works closing times would assist Rochdale Corporation Passenger Transport Department was explained by Mr. G. A. Cherry, general manager, at a joint conference of employers' and employees' representatives held at the Town Hall, Rochdale, last week.
He said the department's normal fleet during the day, for ordinary services, consisted of 56 buses. At 5.30 p.m. it was compelled to turn out 110 buses in order to convey workpeople to their homes. Hence it had 54 machines for which it could find work for only approximately an hour-and a half on any day. This represented a capital of £108,000, which was utilized for a very short period.
"The only solution to this trouble." Mr. Cherry proceeded, "would appear to be the staggering of works' finishing times. I propose writing to mills in various parts of the town asking that they should vary their finishing times between 5 p.m. and 5.30 p.m., thereby enabling this department to cope with the traffic much more economically, with less waiting for intending passengers. This should result ultimately in decreasing costs and possibly bring about reduction of fares."
The employers and trade-union representatives promised to consider each application on its merits, and to co-operate, so far as possible, with the transport department.