Operating Aspects of
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Passenger Transport
GLASGOW BUS DRIVERS WARNED
GLASGOW Corporation bus and tram drivers have been threatened with dismissal because of alleged malingering during the black-out. The men have protested to Union officials against a " criticism" notice, posted in all garages and depots, alleging that they are taking advantage of the blackout and that they are running their vehicles in convoy system.
Many complaints from the travelling
public have been received by the tiansport department. People allege that they have to wait sometimes 15 or 20 minutes for a bus or tram and that then four or five vehicles bound for the same district come along.
The notice posted in the depots states that there is reasonable justification for the complaints, and gives a warning to drivers who are " dodging " the black-out that they will be suspended.
£80,000 WAGES CONCESSION TO SCOTTISH WORKERS FOLLOWING an unsuccessful effort to obtain further concessions from the employers, delegates representing 8,000 Scottish bus workers voted, last week, for acceptance of a bonus, under which, it is estimated, about £80,000 a year will be paid in extra wages. The workers are employees of the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., and associated companies, Young's Bus Service, Ltd., Paisley, and the Paisley and District Omnibus Co., Ltd.
The offer accepted had been made by the employers several days previously, but had been rejected by the delegates, who asked the Transport and General Workers' Union to meet the employers again. The second conference was held in Edinburgh on December 13, 1 ut the managements stated that they were not in a position to depart from their former proposals.
In the afternoon the union held a delegate meeting lasting several hours, when Mr. Harold Clay, national passenger secretary, reported on the negotiations. The meeting decided by a majority to accept the proposals and to ask the national committee to keep under review the wages position in the industry.
The increases are:—Men over 21 years, 4s. a week; age 20 to 21, 3s.; 18 to 20, 2s. 8d.; up to 18, 2s.: women, 2s. 6d. a week for all 18 years of age and over; 2s, under that age.
SCOTTISH BUSMEN'S SAFETY RECORD
AT a function, in Paisley, a few days ago, medals and certificates were presented to 56 drivers employed by Young's Bus Service, Ltd., who had qualified for awards under the National " Safety First " Association scheme to encourage safe driving. In addition to the Association awards, bonuses to the value of £141 were awarded by the company.
By the presentation to four drivers of silver medals for accident freedom, the number of Y.B.S. men holding this distinction now stands at 19, of whom two have driven for eight successive years without accident.
Mr. R. L. Young, managing director, who made the presentations, referred to the difficulties of war-time transport.
JOINT COUNCIL FOR THE BUS INDUSTRY
WAGES of employees on company11V owned bus services in England and Wales formed the subject of a conference, held in London on December 15. The meeting was attended by delegates of unions in the Bus Federation. Mr. J. 1Vlarchbank, of the National Union of Railwaymen, presided, and Mr. Harold Clay, passenger transport secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union, reported on negotiations with the companies.
The conference accepted the proposals for wage increases, subject to adjustments on certain outstanding points. It also accepted a draft constitution for a Joint Industrial Council for the bus industry, excluding municipalities and London Transport.
PERSISTENCE DOES NOT MEET A REWARD
THE Regional Transport Commis!. sioner has refused the second application by Mr. C. J. Rugg for permission to operate a local bus service for people resident on the outskirts of Lewes. Following the rejection of his first application, Mr. Rugg secured the support of the town council and the local Chamber of Commerce.
The Commissioner stressed that, apart from other considerations, the need for fuel economy, which has already brought about a restriction of many services that have been operating for a" long while, is a bar to the inauguration of new services.
DEFENCE ORDER OBSTRUCTS NEW SERVICES
UNDER the Emergency (Defence) Road Vehicles and Driving Order, the Regional Transport Commissioner, Mr. A. Henderson, has refused an application by Young's Bus Service, Ltd., to inaugurate a direct bus service from Paisley to Bishopton.
The application was originally submitted in the summer of 1938 to Mr. Henderson, in his capacity as chairman of the Southern Scotland Traffic Commissioners. At that time, among other supporting evidence, was a petition signed by 530 Bishopton residents.
Again presented last May, the case was submitted for the third occasion at Edinburgh in November. Described as the " Bishopton Bus Battle," the application aroused lively interest in road-transport circles because of strenuous railway opposition.
Applications by Young's Bus Services, Ltd., for a workers' service, and by the Western S.M.T. Co., Ltd., for a service between Paisley and Erskine Ferry have also been refused.
RAISING ABRIDGE FOR DOUBLEDECKERS
NAIDDLESBROUGH Town Council 1VL is to discuss with the London and North-Eastern Railway Co. a £25,000 plan for raising the Albert Road bridge, Middlesbrough, to allow doubledeck buses to pass under it.