PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.
COACHING PROSPECTS IN THE NORTH COUNTRY.
Preparations Made by a West Hartlepool Company
and Details of Results Obtained in 1925. 1 A LTHOUGH the opening of the 11._North-country motor coaching season—at the best a somewhat curtailed one—is still some time distant, owners in the area have already completed most ' of their preliminary arrangements for 1926, and are awaiting the outcome with a considerable measure of confidence. Optimism prevails in most quarters as the result of a somewhat better outlook in general industrial circles, and at West Hartlepool, where the leading works are now much more busily engaged, there are prospects of a particularly successful season.
This, at least, is the reassuring view of Mr. T. H. Pallor, of Messrs. Pallor's Motor Coach Services, of that town. This company, who were founded in ...1920, have built up an extensive connection by striving to give service and satisfaction to all patrons, and the success of their efforts is abundantly proved by the growing popularity of their tours, a factor.which has called for fleet additions at the opening of each successive coaching season. In addition, the total mileage which the vehicles have covered and the number of passengers they have carried each summer have increased.
Messrs. Pallor make special efforts to
foster the better-class trade, and have built up their small but well-appointed fleet by the selection of reliable and efficient units. This discernment, coupled with an adequate maintenance system, is now telling its tale in the way of big mileages and a complete freedom from breakdowns or dislocation of services, and, furthermore, is reflected in the extremely light repair bills set against the vehicles.
Some illuminating facts and figures in this connection were given to a representative of this journal during a recent call. The fleet last year numbered five vehicles, as compared with three the previous season, and included two 28seater A.E.C.s, one 26-seater Leyland, one 20-seater Lancia, and one 14-seater Atlas, the Leyland and one of the A.E.C.s being secured in the early part of last year. During the 1925 season this fleet covered an aggregate mileage of approximately 70,000, as compared with 50,000 for the three vehicles in 1924, whilst it also dealt with a much larger volume of traffic.
The Lancia, which was obtained in 1923, has proved an excellent investment, and some very gratifying figures were produced in connection with the running of this vehicle. From the time of its purchase to the commencement of -the present year it had covered a total of 43,000 miles, and it has cost the company less than £26 in all for repairs. In operating costs it has been found to be uniformly low, and it has returned the satisfactory average figure of 13 miles to the gallon of fuel consumed.
An interesting experiment is at present being made with the Lancia coach. This was formerly equipped with pneumatics, twins being used on the rear wheels, but a few months ago these were replaced by Dunlop giant pneumatics at the rear with a view to ascertaining the merits of this class of equipment. Over 7,900 miles have been covered to date without trouble of any kind, and the driver states that the speed of the vehicle has been increased by from five to six miles per hour by the use of such tyres.
During last year the Lancia covered about 16,000 miles, whilst each of the A.E.C.s totalled over 12,000 miles and the Leyland a similar mileage. The Atlas, which is also pneumatic tyred, and was reserved for work in connec.tion with small parties and the conveyance of cricket teams, etc., as well as acting as an emergency unit, accomplished a mileage of between 8,000 and 10,000.
In passing, it is interesting to note that the original A.E.C., a 1920 purchase, has now run 62,000 miles. The
A.E.C.s, which run on benzole, average 8 m.p.g. to 10 m.p.g., and the Atlas does
• about 20 miles -to the gallon of fuel used.
It is still rather early to be able to make any definite pronouncement so far as 1926 fares are concerned, but it is not anticipated that there will be any very material change from last year, when rates were based upon a scale of lid, per passenger per mile. Mr.,Pailor. pointed out that no increase could be made if they were to secure a goodly share of the business which he confidently anticipates will be. available, whilst, on the other hand, higher tyre prices, amongst other contingencies, will prevent any drastic reductions being made on rates which are now practical' y at rock-bottom figures.
Crom bookings made to date it is expected that circular tours over mileages of from 100 to about 150 will be a popular feature of the 1926 Programme, whilst already there is a good inquiry -for two-day and three-day outings to Lakeland districts at holiday periods.
Day runs, which proved extremely popular last year, and will again be operated in increased numbers during the corning •geason, include the following :---11exham, .134 miles; York, 120 miles ; Harrogate and Knaresbormigh, 116 miles ; -Ripon, 95 miles ; Helmsley, 88 miles ; Whitley Bay, 85 miles ; Richmond and Reeth, 80 miles ; Barnard Castle, 76 miles ; Newcastle, 64 miles ; and Redear, 40 miles.
Extensive business was done last season in the way of catering for large school and works outings, as many as 2,000 and 3,000 passengers being dealt with on occasions. A good amount of business along similar lines is expected by the company in the forthcoming summer months, especially if the weather conditions be propitious.
THE INFLUENCE OF THE BUS ON CAB ACTIVITY.
The Experience of an Old-established Newcastle Company Who Have Replaced a Large Stud of Horses by Motors.
NEWCASTLE. is not a " cabbing " centre in the sense in , which the term can be applied to London, Edinburgh and similar cities, where the . purely tourist or pleasure side of the business contributes such a considerable proportion of the total volume of traffic. At the same time, however, there is adequate scope for enterprise both on the taxi and private-hire sides, provided that discrimination be shown in selecting the field of activity.
The success which can be attained by the recognition and application of this factor is indicated by the experiences of W. Slater and Co., Ltd., an old-established company in Newcastle, who were well to the fore in developing the private-hire facilities of the city and surrounding countryside in the middle of lest century by means of horse-drawn cabs and who now employ a number of speedy motor , vehicles.
The company , were founded in 1853. and, at one time, owned a fine stud of about 200 horses. This, however, has now been replaced hy a fleet of 30 taxis and private tars and the Slater service
is TIONT entirely motorized. The fleet embraces vehicles of Dodge Brothers. Daimler and Napier make. The majority of the units are of the first named make, and they have proved themselves uniformly economical and efficient throughout, even when engaged upon the most arduous of tasks. All Innis at present in commission are fourseaters. Messrk. Slater also own two smart and well-appointed private motor ambulances, one being mounted on a G.M.C. chassis and the other on a Dodge Brothers' chassis. These vehicles are
in extensive demand for the removal of patients to the local hospitals and nursing homes, and each covers an annual mileage of between 5,000 and 6,000.
The taxi side of the business is carried on from a booking office conveniently situated inside the portico of the Central Railway Station—the London and North Eastern Railway main line station for the city, In consequence of this admirable situation, and an equally good parking place—this takes the form of a large open space immediately outside the station premises—the company's vehicles are kept busily engaged in conveying intending rail passengers from all parts of the city and district to the station, and also in meeting all incoming trains from north, south, east and west. Each car averages between 30 and 40 miles per day, and the length
of the average journey is in the vicinity of 1 miles.
As is the case in most large centres, the taxi fares in Newcastle are fixed by the Corporation Watch Committee. According to its approved scale the permissible fare for hiring by distance is is. 6d. for the first mile or portion of a mile, with an excess charge of 3d. per mile or portion of a mile thereafter. This applies in the case where the fare comprises one or two passengers, but an additional 6d. is charged in respect of each passenger above that number. The rate for waiting time is 6s. per hour, and provision is also made in the fares list for hiring by time, the charge being 10s. per hour. In practice, however, Messrs. Slater find that this method fa scarcely ever used, passengers preferringthe distance rates. • The rate is fare-and-a-half for all journeys undertaken between midnight and 6 a.m.
Messrs. Slater find that most effective working is secured by an arrangement whereby drivers work a complete 24hour shift, and then have a proportionate amount of " off " time. Special units are reserved for private-hire work and these perform a variety of tasks in which wedding orders figure most prominently.
Some of the disadvantages of the city as a centre for taxicab and private-hire activity were outlined 'by a member of the company on the occasion of a,recent call by-a representative of The Commercial Motor. Chief of these is the very extensive tram system operated bythe
Newcastle Corporation, which has very materially reduced the amount of shortjourney business. Then, more recently, the opening up of extensive networks of motorbus routes to practically all parts of the surrounding countryside by boat private concerns and municipal authorities has also told its tale. In most instances, these services are of such frequency and the fares so tempting that it is small wonder that prospective passengers utilize the trams or buses.
At the same time, as has been indicated, there are fields in which the taxi can prove of extreme advantage, and, at the same, time, a remunerative proposition. It is the assiduous cultivation of these, and the provision of smart vehicles capable of providing efficient and reliable service, which have enabled Messrs. Slater to establish themselves in their present status.
The companypossess a large and wellequipped garage in the Haymarket, Newcastle, where all vehicles are thoroughly cleaned down and examined daily. Here every appliance is at hand for repair and overhaul work, so that the units are maintained in first-class order, a fact which has contributed, in no small measure, to the success of the undertaking.
BIG MILEAGES FROM SINGLE-DECK BUSES.
Brief Details of the Excellent Records Standing to the Credit of Two 20-seater Leyland Models.
ON many occasions in the past we have been provided with the opportunity of dealing with the motorbus activities of prominent private concerns and municipal undertakings and of indicating the collective value of such vehicles to the general public. We have, however, not always been able to obtain details of the running of individual machines, not because users do not keep track of the performances of each vehicle, but generally because they elect to speak of the all-round merit and efficiency of a fleet rather than to single out any type or make of bus for preferential comment. Nevertheless, it must be pleving to the manufacturer at times to get to know how this or that vehicle is behaving and what it has accomplished.
Richard Percival, Ltd.. Lowther Street, Carlisle, are to be complimented for keeping an accurate account of the running of a Leyland 20-seater bus which they purchased early in 1924, and for providing the makers with information concerning its use and performance. The vehicle, which is shown in one of the accompanying illustrations, was delivered on February 22nd, 1924, and records which have been kept show that it has covered 73,528 miles. It has been in service seven days a week for two years and has only lost a single day in this period. This day off the road was necessary in order that a full set of new super-cushion tyres could be pressed on, and advantage was taken of this short period of inttctivity to fit two new valves and a valve guide to the engine. Since that time we are informed that no other replacements of any kind have been required.
The bus in question, the performance of which reflects credit on maker mill user alike, has been in charge of the same driver since it was first commissioned, and it has run on service between Carlisle and Annan. The driver's report on the machine at the end of its two years' service is to the effect that it is no different from when it was first delivered, except that, in his opinion, "it might possibly require decarbonizing." The bus has been run on a mixture of Blaydon benzoic and No. 3 petrol, whilst Vacuum oil has been used for lubricating purposes.
The user is loud in his praises of the running of the bus and points to its remarkable ability for dealing with overloads and giving good service under all conditions of working. This appreciation, moreover, takes concrete form in a repeat order which has been placed for a number of machines which figure in the Leyland Co.'s 1926 range, including a 26-seater Lioness coach.
Although the Leyland saloon bus shown in the other illustration reproduced on this .page has apparently not been so hard worked as that to which we have just referred, it has a mileage to its credit which is sufficient to prove the reliability and efficiency of Leyland' buses. This vehicle is also a 20-seater, and, st) far as can be ascertained, it has covered a total mileage of 46,000 since it was first put into service by the Kendal Motor Bus Co., Ltd., in April, 1923. This bus, we are told, has been in regular service in the hilliest parts of the Lake District and has not been off duty for a single day. The only renewals which have been found necessary are two valves, and it is not without interest to note that, in spite of thenature of the service upon which the vehicle has been engaged, only a slight adjustment of the brakes has been found necessary during the period of its use. •
Big Orders for Guy Buses.
The bus products of Guy Motors, Ltd., Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, are being largely used by a number of Prominent concerns, and amongst orders which the company have recently received for passenger vehicles of this type is one from the National Omnibus and Transport Co., Ltd., who already run a number of Guy buses, and have wytv ordered 23 new vehicles, of which five will consist of chassis embodying six-cylinder engines. Another important order for Guy buses is that given by the Cambrian Coaching Co., Ltd., who already operate vehicles of this make in London and on the South Coast. All these. vehicles will be of the low-loading, drop-frame type, and the value of the two contracts amounts to i35,000.