British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume II - Page 864

CHAPTER XX.

These figures are based on a census of vehicles made in January--March, 1945, and on the numbers of vehicles which have been released for civil needs since the date of that census. The figures are approximate, since no information of the number of vehicles permanently put off the road since the census is available. A very large proportion of these vehicles, within all categories, date from 1939 or earlier; most of the omnibuses, commercial vehicles and taxis have been on the roads continuously throughout the war; but a proportion of the private cars and motor cycles were laid up until early in 1945.

35. The figures above include the following vehicles which were released for civil transport needs during the fifteen months ended 31st December, 1945.

New Used Total
Omnibuses 196 59 255
Heavy commercial 314 274 588
Light Commercial 8 42 50
Passenger cars nil nil nil
Motor cycles 10 nil 10
The motor cycles and the chassis for the omnibuses and commercial vehicles shown in the first column above were imported; bodies were built in Palestine. The used vehicles shown in the second column were obtained in part from the War Department and in part from a Government transport agency which was operated by Messrs. Steel Bros. from January, 1943, until its liquidation in August, 1945. The primary purpose of this agency was not economic but to provide the "strategic reserve" of motor vehicles in Palestine necessitated by military requirements in the Middle East area.

36. The following chassis have recently been imported into Palestine for civil needs and await allocation by the Controller of Road Transport (for whose functions see section 4 of chapter X:XVI) :-

Type of vehicle

No. of chassis

Omnibuses

Heavy commercial Light commercial Passenger cars

19 21 13

37. The estimated maximum requirements for the replacement of vehicles which have already been put off the roads or are in such condition as likely to be put off the roads during 1946 are as follows:-

Omnibuses

Heavy commercial Light commercial Passenger cars

1,088 1,786 714 800

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