Pete's Trolleybus
Site
Pete's Trolleybus
Site
There were two main problems that faced the early bus and tramway
operators with regard to fare collection. One was that of fare dodgers
and the other was the possibility of conductors who would fiddle the
takings, though it's only a very small minority who would do such
things. The solution to these was the Bell Punch ticket system. This
was quite ingenious as the system had methods to defeat both, however
it was very labour intensive. The tickets would have the stage
numbers or stop names printed along each edge. The Bell Punch
machines themselves punched a hole in the ticket on the appropriate
stage (sounding a bell at the same time) and the clipping was
retained in the machine itself. The early version was the pistol
punch, which resembled a ticket clipper, but with a cylindrical
chamber to hold the clippings. The later version clipped to a strap
and was worn in the same way as the cash bag. The conductor had a
rack of tickets, each ticket with a serial number and issued to the
conductor as a stapled "book". Each denomination would have a
different colour so that the clipping could be identified later. At
the end of each journey the conductor would record the serial number
of every top ticket on the rack on the waybill. The inspectors who
would randomly board the trams or buses to check the tickets would
use this. At the end of the day, the Bell Punch would be opened and
the clippings counted by "confetti counters". This would be used to
calculate what the conductor's takings should be (any shortfall being
deducted from his wages). The big disadvantage of this system was
that it cost a lot to administer. It was also rather cumbersome for
the poor conductor who had to carry a large wooden rack, which would
get in the way when punching the ticket (an operation that requires
both hands). Bell Punch machines were widely used throughout the
Black Country tramway systems. Similar to the Bell Punch were the
Williamson punch machines, however the lever operation allows the
machine to be used with either hand and is easier to use (I have used
both at the Black Country Museum). The other advantage of the Willamson
is that it will clip two tickets at once, which is why we use it more
often that the Bell Punch, which will only do one at a time.
A slightly more advanced machine was the TIM (which stands for
"Ticket Issuing Machine"). This had a dial that allowed the selection
of 10 different values and printed a ticket on plain paper. It was
easy to use and had 10 counters that automatically kept a tally of
the different values issued. Also the machines printed a stage number
(set by the conductor) and the date so that the inspectors could
still check the correct fare had been paid. The system, however, was
not flexible enough to deal with fare increases easily. Each machine
would have to have its printing plates replaced. The system was used
experimentally for a time in Wolverhampton from the late 1930s to 1948, when the
Ultimate system replaced both TIM and Bell Punch systems.
The Bell Punch Company produced an automated version of their
pre-printed ticket system, which they called "Ultimate". These used
continuous ticket rolls with the values printed on them. Each ticket
carried a serial number and a pre-printed value. The machines had
several tracks each of which had a lever at the front that ejected a
ticket, which was then torn off against a serrated cutter. The fare
stage could be printed in one of three positions on the bottom of the
ticket. Each new ticket roll had a piece of adhesive tape (which the
conductor had to lick) to join it to the end of the old one, which
was supposed to prevent the conductor having to change rolls
mid-journey. The system coped better with changing fare structures,
but after a while, the machines became unreliable and would jam up.
It was not uncommon to see conductors tearing off tickets from the
back of the machines at busy times. Its also not that uncommon at
the museum! This system was used by Wolverhampton and Birmingham.
Another system using plain paper was the Setright. Unlike the TIM,
the Setright could print any value in shillings and pence. Many were
converted to take pounds and new pence after decimalisation. This meant
that they could easily deal with changes in fares. A set of
concentric dials on the top was used to set the value and levers set
"Adult", "Child", etc. and "In" or "Out" to indicate which journey.
This system was used by Walsall and the Birmingham and Midland Motor
Omnibus Company (BMMO), which was better known as Midland Red. Both
of these operated extensive routes, which allowed very long routes
to have a large number of fare stages. BMMO used pink ticket rolls,
while Walsall's were plain white. It was also commom for the top and
bottom border of the side to be printed on to have the undertaking's
name.
The machines were very reliable and less cumbersome than the
Ultimates. They're not quite as easy to load as the TIM machines as
the new roll has to be fed through the centre, but a lot easier than
the Ultimates and also far less likely to jam. They make a distinctive
whirring noise as each ticket is issued. This is much appreciated by
the visitors to the museum who remember them in use - as do some of
us using them!
With the advent of WMPTE, a wholesale conversion to driver only
operation took place. Both Ultimate and Setright had machines for
drivers to use, but the system chosen was the Autofare. This used a
mini-safe to collect the fares and meant that no change could be
given. It isn't very popular with passengers, but if everybody at
a stop had the correct fare ready, the passengers could get on
very quickly. In practice, passengers have to ask round to get
change (which slows loading) or get refused entry (which gives
rise to complaints).
With microprocessors, modern ticket machines print far more
information. It is usual for a modern ticket to state where the
passenger boarded and how far they are permitted to travel. Some
of the latest ones even have a GPS system that sets the fare stage
automatically.
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Background is a
1931 Wolverhampton trolleybus, one of these is being restored at
the Black Country Museum in Dudley
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