CORPORATION CARS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1931, Page 14

CORPORATION CARS

ARE THERE TOO MANY?

REPORT TO COUNCIL

A special section of the report, made by Mr. H. M'Gill, of the Post'and Telegraph Department, to the City Council on motor transport was devoted to the use of council ears.

"Whilst I am not in a position to] criticise the use made by the council's j (3-t) ears, I venture to suggest that under a central guragc system the number could bo .considerably reduced without any loss of efficiency and with a substantial saving to the council," said Mr. M'Gill. "Were the present fleets placed under one control, cars would be hired out by the transport officer to any officer authorised by his departmental head to obtain motor transport. When not actually in use the ear should bo returned to the central garage, where it would, be available for the use of another officer, irrespective of the department to which he is attached. A responsible officer in the hiring department whose duty it would bo to examine the accounts eacli month and the running sheets should bo in a position to check any misuse of vehicles by officers. "The practice of alloting a particular car for the use of an individual officer can only be regarded as wasteful. No officer should have any claim on any individual ear, but should bo required to drive one of the vehicles which at the time is idle in the garage. In this way the best possible use is mad'! of the fleet. HOME GARAGING. "Twelve officers are garaging the council's cars at private residences. It is alleged that in the majority of instances it is necessary that the cars bo so housed in order that 'emergency' calls received outside business hours may be readily met. . . . The cost of running these cars daily to and from officers' residences must amount to a considerable sum per annum. The question arises as to how many 'emergency' calls for each of these officers are made in the "year. AVliile lam not in a position to estimate the number of such calls received by any individual oflicer, I am of opinion that upon investigation it will be found that the council is paying dearly for 'emergency' calls. It is pointed out that every Car mile travelled costs money."

Detailed references are made, and it is mentioned that in certain cases the council also pays garaging expenses for machines at the homes of officers, and the-report continues: — "It is not-possible, without a good deal of investigation, to arrive at tho exact total annual mileage the council cars travel between these officers' residences and their headquarters; but I estimate it to be approximately 21,500. Computing this at, say, 5d per mile, the council is spending in tho vicinity of £430 per annum in order that officers may have transport available at their residences to meet 'emergency' calls. It is suggested that all vehicles shall; at the close of business, require to be housed in the Corporation garage, and that it be regarded as an offence 1o garage-vehicles at tho residences of odicers. . ■ • My object is to cut out any wasteful running and to remove- the temptation to convert to private- use at week-ends and after business hours each night any portion of the council's fleet. Tho practice of housing vehicles at the residences of officers is, I maintain, one that should not be countenanced, except in very unusual circumstances, and then only after investigation by and approval of tho council."

Mr. M'Gill suggested that cars should boar a more prominent marking upon them than the crest now carried. In order that "emergency" calls could bo expeditiously met, either of the following methods could be adopted: Hire a taxi from an all-night taxi company; or re-arrange the duties of the garage attendants so that continuous night service is available. Either suggestion would prove equally as efficient as tho present method, and tho saving to- the council would be considerable. Moreover, the present cause for criticism by ratepayers, viz., the use of the council's motor-vehicles for conveying officers to and' from their residences, would bo removed. Tho housing of flvo light vans at private residences should also be looked into.