Crosville Accused of Attempt to Undercut Express Fares
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PPLYING to extend their Warrington-Rhyl expr,ess service to Llandudno, Crosville Motor Services. Ltd., were last week accused of making a blatant attempt to secure period returns at cut prices to the resorts beyond Rhyl. Mr. H. Backhouse, for four objectors, claimed that it was only because British Railways were controlled by the British Transport Commission that they were not opposing the application.
Among the objectors were Naylor Motor Services, Ltd.; Shaw Coach Tours; F. Sykes and Sons, Ltd.; Shadwell's Coach Tours; and Webster Bros. (Wigan), Ltd. The North Western Traffic Commissioners reserved their, decision.
Mr. J. Edward Jones, for Crosville, said the company had provided an express service between Warrington and Rhyl for 25 years. Since 1946 the service had been routed along the coast road, and a demand had grown for a direct link with Llandudno. There were connecting services, but changing was inconvenient. Questioning Mr. S. H. Morris, divisional manager, Mr. Backhouse pointed out that Crosville's period return fare to Llandudno was 21s: By seeking a return fare of 13s. 6d., they were trying to undercut other operators by a third. Mr. Morris said the proposed fare was related to other express fares on Crosville licences.
There would have to be a complete revision of most of the company's express fares if they were to be brought into line with those of the Warrington operators. Crosville had been established for many years, but period returns to Llandudno were granted to the local operators in 1954;The company looked to these services to support unremunerative routes.
Mr. J. Naylor, in evidence, Said the Warrington excursion operators would be unable to compete if Crosville were allowed to operate the same journey for 13s. 6d. Last year, after Crosville had suggested that all the local operators should work together, they thought there would be a fresh start. Now Crosville were makingan application which would allow unlimited period returns throughout the season. In 1957, without the proposed competition, Naylor's did not have a full load to or from Llandudno.
Mr. Backhouse said Crosville's existing Liverpool-Llandudno licence covered every part of the route except Warrington. Although the local operators were tied down to one vehicle and a high fare, Crosville now sought unlimited duplication and a slashed fare.
He claimed that it was a selfish application, because the company had not considered the smaller operators, who provided a useful service.
Mr. Edward Jones replied that Mr. Backhouse had ignored the vital fact that Crosville were express operators, whilst the small companies ran excursions.
Mr. Backhouse told the-Commissioners that if the application were refused, the objectors would withdraw applications for period returns to Rhyl, made as a protective measure.