The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-12-23

in their report to you on August l4, ioAa showed that "a per cent of all industrial workers reported at 2 0. m. which accounts for the 100 per cent operations peak of the busses at that time. Earlier in the year at the recommendation of tho Transportation Committee, high school and store hours were re. tarded one half an hour and dur. ing the past three months many of the industrial plants have made adjustments in their work hours which afforded certain amount of transportation relief.
 Plants Surveyed
 During the past few weeks, an intensive study of the work hours of tho three large industrial plants has been made. It was recognized that Q complete picture of the com bined plans of an three plants must be had before any staggering by them could De put into effect. This was done to assure that any change would be beneficial and of definite help to tho industrial area in which the plant was located and also to the City as whole. As a result of these studies. e stagger plan was drawn up, which is now in effect, The following tabulation shows the actual changes that have been ef- fected by the present stagger plan, These figures cover 38 industrial plants employing 100 or more per- sons and have reference to the start- ing times of the morning workers;
 6:30 a. m.-An increase of 7eo.
 FOO Q, m.--A decrease of 29%s.
 730 Q. m.-An increase of 2i1s.
 800 0, ln,--A decrease of 6%.
 8:30 Q, m,--An increase of 7%. As q result of staggering, we have now only 4igo of the industrial workers reporting at TOO e, m. compared with roc before the plan was put into effect.
 The change in industrial offices from 800 a. m. to 8:30 a. m. and from 500 D. m. to 5:30 D. m. will do much to relieve the present 6c0 ?. m. peak which has prevailed. This 500 p, m, peak has built up in the past few months SO that 1t nearly equaled our TOO Q. m. peak.
 In putting the system Into effect on Monday, December 2i, 1t was realized that Q certain amount of confusion would result until bus schedules and work hours were given final adjustment. We are now in the experimental stage and can only ask that the bus riding public be patient and realize the problems confronting all of us. This is not an untried experiment in regard to staggering Of hours, but one that has been put into effect in hundreds of vital defense areas to assure ef- ficient use of present transportation facilities, and has successfully proven its value and worth. The present transportation picture as ag- gravated by hundreds of workers putting up their cars at least tenn. porarily due to the extreme cold weather and also the more rigid gasoline restrictions now in effect. Also. at this time our stores are crowded with Christmas shoppers doing their last minute shopping. All of these conditions combined have placed an excessive load on the buSseg.
 ManpOwer Problem
 Tn their efforts to provide trans- portation for everyone desiring it, the bus companies themselves are also confronted with Q manpower problem along with the lack of suf- fcient numbers of busses. The training of women in other cities is being tried to relieve the prob- lem of drivers. Constant use of the busses over 20-hour periods every day Is bound to result in wear and tear that necessarily keeps 0 cer-. tain number of them in the garage for repairs. Mutual cooperation by everyone at this time is absolutely essential. Whenever and wherever possible, everyone should walk to his or her place of business and in so doing assure seat to defense workers who must use the busses. Group riding by workers is on a share-the-ride plan and should be encouraged. To increase the num- her nf ridara fin each nrfvate car