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THE QUESTION of which of two local operators could best provide a market day service for villages to the north of Dereham, Norfolk, came before the Eastern Traffic Commissioners, at Norwich last week.
Dereham Coachways Ltd, East Dereham, had been operating the service between Bylaugh Turn and East Dereham via Billingford, Worthing and Hoe, on a temporary basis for the last nine months.
The application for a substantive stage carriage licence was opposed by F. J. Bridges of Saham Toney, Thetford, who also made a similar application.
The applications were taken together and Victor Rollins, a director of Dereham Coachways, said the service had been provided at the request of the county council, running weekly on market days and involving a 60 minute round trip.
The average number of passengers carried was 16 at fares ranging between 35p and 45p. Norfolk County Council provided a maximum subsidy* of E10 per day less the fares paid. His company had made efforts to increase passenger interest in the service.
Supporting witnesses said they were entirely satisfied with the service and did not think another operator could improve it.
Under cross examination Mr Rollins said his company operated 10 coaches and held excursions and tours licences but none for stage carriage work. Frederick Bridges, objecting, said his firm had operated in the area north of Dereham since 1954 and had 11 vehicles.
He held excursions and tours licences and also one for stage carriage operation between Saham Toney and Kings Lynn. The proposed service would dovetail with this at minimal cost.
As the biggest operator in the area he was surprised the County Council had not approached him.
Questioned, Mr Bridges agreed his Dereham depot was being renovated and was not in operation; he held no stage licence from Dereham.
Raymond Edwards, for the County Council, said the request for a service came from a Parish Council. Eastern Counties Omnibus Co were not interested as they had no vehicles of the right size whereas Dereham Coachways had minibuses and a 29-seater.
The latter were ideally placed in Dereham and as the service was a small one it had been thought unnecessary to canvas every operator in the area.
Granting Dereham Coachways' application and refusing that of Bridges, the chairman, Kenneth Peter, said both operators had good claims.
Dereham Coachways had been operating successfully but Bridges could fit the service in at minimal cost. On balance they preferred the existing operator but it was open to any operator to come forward in future and show he could operate more economically.