BUS CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 61, 6 December 1926, Page 10

BUS CONTROL

, FRESH REGULATIONS TO APPEAR SHORTLY SAFETY OF PASSENGERS AND DRIVERS Further regulations under the Motor-omnibus Traffic Act of last session will make their appearance at an early date. These will elaborate clause 21 of the recently-gazetted regulations, which relates to the condition of licensed buses, and their aim will be to ensure safety for the travelling public and the drivers. Such points as measurement, construction, design, and safety appliances will be covered by the additional regulations. Under the existing provision the bus proprietor is rendered responsible for keeping his vehicle, during the currency of the license, in a safe and suitable condition for the carriage of passengers, to the satisfaction of the inspecting engineer, and in accordance with any regulations to be issued later. Clause 21 of the regulations provides also that every certificate given by an inspecting engineer, to the effect that a bus is not in a fit or proper condition to be used for the carriage of passengers, shall state clearly the grounds upon which the certificate is based, and indicate the defects to be remedied in order to render the vehicle fit for use as a motor-omnibus. Two suitable lockers, containing two efficient jacks and other appliances necessary for cases of emergency, are -to be installed in each bus, and the owner has to provide for the efficient tuition of the driver and conductor- (if any)'in the use of’them After a date to be fixed by the licensing authority it will not be lawful for a motor-bus to be operated unless the words "Licensed under the Motor-omnibus Traffic Act, 1926, to carry passengers” (stating the. maximum number of passengers to be carried in accordance with- the terms of the license) are legibly affixed in some permanent manner in a conspicuous part of the interior of the vehicle. It will be necessary for the new regulations to appear before the end of the month, since < December 31. is the last day on which owners of existing motor-bus services in substantial competition with tram or bus undertakings, conducted by local or public authorities, can avail themselves 'of the provision which enables them to call upon those authorities to acquire the private bus services.