Eire Tours . Should Be a Common Facility, Says Coach Operator
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TOURS to Eire ought to .become a common facility, for all extended tour operators, the North WeStern. Traffic Comrnissiohers were told on Tuesday by Mr. A. Robinson, managing director of W. Robinson and Sons (Great Harwood), Ltd. Applying for the addition of two-Irish' tours to the company's licence, Mr. Robinson reminded the Commissioners that Eire had invited foreign-based operators to use their own vehicles in providing medium-priced holidays for the public.
Robinson's application was opposed by Batty-Holt Touring Services, Ltd.; Ribble Motor Services, Ltd.; Stanley Spencers Tours (Manchester), Ltd.; Happiway Tours (Manchester), Ltd.; and British Railways.
Mr, E. A. Whitehead, for Robinson's, said two tours were wanted to enable , them to work in reverse directions in Eire and fully utilize hotel accommodation. They were asking for an inclUsive fare ranging from 20 to 25 gns. and an increased vehicle allowance of two, restricted to Trish tours.
Nine Operators
The Irish Tourist Board had told. them that nine English companies Were operating in Eire this year and that facilities would again be offered in 1959.
In evidence, Mr. Robinkon Said BattyHolt and British Railways were the' only .objectors with facilities for Eire. He had not objected to Batty-Holes recent application because it was new traffic and should be open to all.
-Questioned by Mr. H. Backhouse, for the independent objector's, he agreed that they had many comniOn picking-up points throughout the North-West, Mr. BackhouSe submitted that tvvo additional vehicles must take passengers from the common pool of holiday traffic. Robinson's were 'trying to come out of their privileged fantail business into cruiser tours, a completely new venture.
Rail Too Dear Replying to Mr. R. C. Oswald, for the railways, Mr. Robinson said the railways' Irish holidays, run from Dublin in conjunction with C.I.E., could not compare for cheapness with the proppsed tours. . Told that all-in seven-day rail holidays to Galway and Killarney were on offer from £23 18s. and £22 8s. respectively, he replied that passengers had to make their own way to these places, whereas the coaching public needed shepherding.
Mr. Backhouse said it was an
illconsidered and unsupported appliCation immediately following the grant to Batty-Holt, who were given a licence until 1959 with, one vehicle on an experimental basis. They had had no opportunity of demonstrating whether it would be a success or not.
Mr. Oswald pointed out that it .was proposed to keep two vehiclesin Eire, and the application really amounted to a direct express service between Knutsford and Holyhead. for which existing facilities were adequate. '
The Commissioners reserved decision until the hearing' of similar applications by Florence Metors, Ltd.