Page 315 - Bahrain Gov annual reports(V)_Neat

75
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT
(Report by Mr. J. L. Morris, Transport Officer)
There was once again a steady increase during the year, in the number of vehicles and times
of mechanical equipment operated by Government Departments. The total number of units
maintained and serviced by the Department at the end of year 1955, was 290, an increase of
43 over last year’s figures. More local staff were engaged to eater for the corresponding increase
in work and in September, a British Transport Engineer, Mr. T. E. M. Farmer, arrived to
join the Department.
Although the number of vehicles and other units maintained during the year under review
was higher than the previous year, the total number of repair jobs carried out was less. This is
a reliable indication that the preventative maintenance carried out at Bi-Monthly intervals,
is now more effective than in the past. Further improvements however, arc possible. Vehicle
drivers still rely on the Transport Department to carry out the most simple jobs, which all too
often have developed into a major repair by the time the vehicle reports to the workshops.
Traffic Accidents. Fifty six vehicles reported during the year for repairs to damage which
were in each ease the direct result of a traffic accident. The approximate total cost, to rectify
the damage caused to these vehicles, was Rs. 18,940/-. A very small percentage of this amount
was recovered, as a result of claims made against drivers of non-Government vehicles involved
in several of these accidents. One such claim involving the sum of Rs. 9,000/- was still being
negotiated at the end of the year.
Administration. On 16th July, Mr. J. L. Morris relinquished the appointment of Transport
Superintendent and became Officer-in-Charge, Transport Department.
By order of the Adviser, the Transport Department became a separate Department on
October 25th. Prior to this date, it was a subsidiary of the State Engineer’s Department.

Premises. Accommodation and v/orking facilities arc now inadequate and new extensions
will be undertaken in 1956.
Total number of vehicles on maintenance charge at end of year, by types:—
Load carriers (Lorries) 42
Station wagons and omnibuses 22
Pick-up trucks 61
Saloon Cars 35
Motor cycles 27
Armoured cars 12
Non-Government vehicles (D and C. and William Press Ltd.) 16
Total number of Launches and items of mechanical plant on
maintenance charge at end of year:
Launches 5
Mechanical plant and equipment 70

Total number of units maintained .. 290

Total number of new vehicles ordered 69
Total number of new vehicles received 75
Total number of new items of plant and equipment ordered 17
Total number of new items of plant and equipment received 18

Vehicles and plant written off as being beyond economical repair:—
1. Vehicles 30
2. Plant 4
Total number of service operations carried out during the year 5,738

Total number of repair jobs carried out during the year 2,760