New Tax Drive: M.P.T.A Lobby for Contract-carriage Powers
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WITH Parliament reassembling next Tuesday, political activity in Tv transport is warming up. A new campaign for a reduction in fuel tax has been started by passenger-transport interests.
The Municipal Passenger Transport Association are canvassing for support for contract-carriage powers for municipalities. Mr. H. W.
Short's Bill to legalize concessions and free travel for certain sections of the public is gaining support and, it is thought, may be approved by the Government.
The British Omnibus Companies' Public Relations Committee announced on Monday that municipal and private bus operators had launched a national campaign against "the 250 per cent, tax on the fuel oil used in buses."
The campaign, the committee added,. was backed by the M.P.T.A., Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association, Public Transport Association and the Scottish Road Passenger Transport Association.
In the first stage, leaflets would be distributed among passengers. 'Later, posters would be displayed on buses and on other suitable sites.
Representatives of the four Associations last Friday presented their case to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.
Sheffield Transport Department is distributing 7,000 leaflets, and posters have been placed in buses. Burnley, Colne and Nelson Joint Passenger Transport Committee also decided last week to support the campaign.
In a memorandum on Budget policy published last week, the Association of British Chambers of Commerce told the Chancellor of the Exchequer that fuel tax should be reduced by 6d. a gallon.
Immediately following the recent wage awards for municipal and company bus employees, and with a new claim pending by haulage workers for increased pay, the rise of Id. a gallon in the price of oil fuel and id. in the cost of petrol makes the reduction in tax even more urgent.
The M.P.T.A. have asked constituent bodies to urge local Members of Parliament to support the Public Service Vehicles (Special Travelling Facilities) Bill, which a Member is promoting to give local authorities power to operate contract carriages. Burnley, Colne and Nelson Joint Passenger Transport Committee are supporting also this proposal.
In political circles it is thought that Mr. Short's Bill may be passed by Whitsun. Its passage may. be facilitated by the Government. It will receive its second reading on February 18. Before that date, Birmingham's Bill, which has similar objects, is expected to receive its first and second readings.
Concessionary fares for old people are to be discussed at a conference of local authorities called by Newcastle upon Tyne Transport Committee for February 4. It is hoped that the conference will decide on a joint approach to the Government on the matter.