BUSES AND PETROL.

Evening Star, Issue 23500, 14 February 1940, Page 14

BUSES AND PETROL.

TO TUB EDITOR. Sir, —Cr Gibson’s statement in tonight's ‘ Star ’ is in my opinion one of the weakest explanations ever made by a councillor in history. The British nation is at war. We aro asked on all sides to make every effort tp help to win the struggle. The council spends large sums in subsidising the wages of those of its employees who have enlisted and at the same time assists our enemies by importing petrol and fuel oil which are needed by our airmen, and also bus chassis which our Army could well do with. Only yesterday I asked a tramway official if it were true that the tramway department was still building buses in the workshops. He answered in the negative. Later on I asked a man employed in the - workshops, who assured me that there was a bus at present being built there, halffinished. Cr Gibson states that the tramway department has reduced petrol consumption 40 per cent. Does this include fuel oil as well ? Cr Gibson does not say that the department has reduced the mileage 40 per cent. He just says petrol—no mention of tyres or fuel oil. In the hope that Cr Gibson will answer I will submit a few questions: (1) Is it correct that the tramway department is building another bus in the workshops? (2) Will Cr Gibson assure the citizens that the mileage of the bus fleet has decreased 40 per cent. ? (3) Will he state the

number of miles covered by buses on routes taken over by the buses from trams per day? (4) The number of ■ miles covered by buses on “ joy ” rides —i.e., taking visitors round the city at the citizens’ expense? (5) The total cost of a bus—seating, bodywork, and chassis? (6) The average price realised from the sale of car bodies? In mv lino of business I have to use a light delivery van. I have had my petrol allowance cut down over 30 per cent. This I accept with good grace and make the best of it, realising that every mile I save is helping the British nation to win the war; but when the same restriction causes me to make a number of calls by foot and I see buses running up and down the main street, and at the same time I am given to understand that dozens of trams are lying idle in the various depots, I sometimes ask myself : Are we ns a city sincere in our war efforts?—l am, etc.. Loyai. Rathpavek. February 13.