OCR Text |
Show Bus Line Plans Expansion Following War Six thousand motor coaches, presenting an investment of $90 million, will be ordered by the nation's intercity bus lines as soon as the lifting of wartime priorities permits their manufacture. manu-facture. In addition, a program of rehabilitating all present equipment will provide employment employ-ment for tens of thousands of automotive workers. These were the findings of the National Association As-sociation of Motor Bus Operators as the organization completed a survey of the industry's postwar needs. "Normally, the country's intercity inter-city bus lines require upwards of 2,000 motor coaches a year," said Arthur M. Hill, association presi- I dent. "Because transportation I is vital to the war effort, the manufacture of a limited number of buses has been permitted in the past three years, but far less than the actual requirements were met. Furthermore, these are Victory models that lack the comfort and luxury features postwar travelers will demand. "While the intercity bus industry's in-dustry's requirement of 6,000 motor coaches may appear small in comparison with the projected market for passenger cars," Mr. Hill explained, "it should be remembered re-membered that highway buses, with new luxury appointments, will average $15,000 in cost and will require a coorespondingly greater number of man hours for manufacture. Even when the pent-up demand is met, the anticipated an-ticipated postwar travel boom will send requirements for subsequent sub-sequent years above previous levels." The plans of nearly all bus companies also provide for the complete rebuilding of a major portion of their fleets when manpower man-power and parts are available. This will offer employment for thousands of ex-service men. |