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German operator moves in

10th March 1978, Page 6
10th March 1978
Page 6
Page 6, 10th March 1978 — German operator moves in
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

LONDON coach operators who are involved with the incoming tourist trade, are becoming increasingly worried by what they consider future unfair competition from West German operator Wahl of Heidenheim, West Germany.

The German operator is at present having a fleet of 12 air-conditioned MercedesBenz D303 coaches bodied by Plaxtons which are due to be based in London alongside a further 11 conventional British coaches, all of which will be available for hire in London during the forthcoming season.

Hire rates offered by the German company are very competitive compared with current London rates and could increase price cutting in what tends to be an already under-priced market.

Wahl are known to be currently negotiating the purchase of premises to garage its vehicles in South London — premises which, ironically, are at present owned by a leading London coach operator which will be bound to be affected in some way by the appearance of Wahl coaches on the London scene.

The price offered for the premises is apparently so high that it is difficult to refuse. The operator affected is known to have an alternative yard in south west London.

Operators of London tourist coaches are also worried that drivers will be attracted by high wages and good conditions offered by the German operator. This would also increase staff problems in what is already a difficult area in high summer. the Tory chairman.

All eight Tories, plus the one Liberal Member of the Committee, voted in favour of the change last week, but as the Transport Minister, William Rodgers, was not there, Labour could only muster nine men to oppose them.

So the casting vote fell to chairman Sir Stephen McAdden, and, as always happens on occasions like this, he opted for the "status quo" — which meant that the Bill was not changed. (See News Extra, p31) The case for the alteration was made by Tory transport spokesman Norman Fowler, who said that community bus schemes should be subject only to simple, minimum checks.

Opposing the move, John Horam, Under Secretary for Transport, said that it would cover not only rural areas, but also big towns such as Bristol, Southampton and Ipswich.

It would be open to a county council, if the amendment were passed, to put on a community minibus service without regard to the effect of that service on existing services.

A volunteer service would be possible, with no regard to the effect on ordinary stage bus services.

Any responsible view of an overall transport policy had to take account of that effect, he went on, and for that reason he thought it right to keep this type of service within the ambit of the traffic commissioners.

It was clear that they were fulfilling a need, and the commissioners agreed that they were doing so. There was really no problem at the moment.


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