Operating Aspects of
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PASSENGER TRANSPORT
EORTS are being made by coach and bus organizations in South Wales to arrange, by negotiation with all the leading independent concerns, for uniformity of rates for coach tours throughout the forthcoming summer.
The desire for agreement on basic rates for tours was brought about by cut fares resulting from exclusive competition, and these, in past seasons, have prevailed in most South Wales districts.
The Motor Omnibus Proprietors Association, South Wales, of which Mr. H. M. Davis (Imperial Motors), is chairman, and Mr. Thomas secretary, obtained a mantlate from its members, comprising the bulk of the bus proprietors in the area, to seek agreement on
the lines indicated, with the members of the local Motor Coach Owners Association and with independent operators. Conferences were held at Cardiff with this object in view.
The independent proprietors and companies represented included the Western Welsh Omnibus Co., Ltd., South Wales Transport Co., Ltd., and Rhondda Tramways Co., Ltd., whilst all the small organizations of coach and bus proprietors of South Wales were party to the discussions. In all, 10 organizations were concerned in the effort to secure agreement between themselves and the non-organized undertakings. At the initial conference, at which Mr. H. Cridland (Cardiff) presided, agreement in principle was secured. At subsequent meetings at Cardiff and Swansea, this amity was increased to a definite undertaking to observe the rates to be decided upon for the area, and, if necessary, with variation for districts.
Certain safeguards to secure absolute observance of the undertakings given by each individual and eempanY are being formulated, and it is probable that the South Wales Traffic Commissioners will be asked to ratify agreed rates by making them a condition of the issue of a licence.
One thing is certain; competition will no longer be allowed to make the coaching business unprofitable.