THE BUS GIRL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 938, 12 February 1917, Page 4

THE BUS GIRL.

"We have had to contradict several reports that the girls on our buses are unable to stand the strain of the work, and that in consequence they are leaving our employ," said Mr Plain, the ©porting manager of the London General Omnibus Company, to a "Daily Chronicle" representative. "This is the actual position: Every week we put on about SO new conductresses, and would increase the number if we could. We can deal with hundreds more at once, in the service at the present time there are over 1150 girl conductors. 'Each pupil receives not only free tuition for a period of two or three weeks, but is paid i's per day for her iine. After they have qualified, the average earnings run to about £2 per week.

"There is no abnormal sickness among them. They like the work;* and benefit, in physique and complexion by the open-air life. They are all under the care of a lady doctor. "Since March we have interviewed PIOGO applicants, and we are very •arei'ul in our selection. Among our ranks almost every class is represented. Quite 10 per cent, of the girls have never worked before, and take up the work from purely patriotic motives. There is not the slightest, reason to supnose that they will be unable to stand he work during the winter; and ' stair work ' is not so trying as some of the public imagine. "Owing largely to the careful training of the women drivers and to our 'Safety First' campaign, accidents in he streets arc 25 per cent, less than before the war. Nearly half the 1 rivers have been trained during the xar, so that their record is a splendid one, considering the condition of the streets at night."