No Interferenc e With Orders
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A CCOR DING to the Passenger 2-AVehicle Operators' Association, the Minister of Transport has agreed that no action should be taken to interfere with the allocation and delivery of existing orders for vehicles, even if the programme of delivery were to be extended still further.
This view was unanimously put forward at a recent conference of the Ministry of Transport, which was attended by representatives of the P.V.O.A. and other road passenger transport organizatiors, and of chassis and body manufacturers. The conference was called to consider the problem of reduced production and the possibility of devising a scheme for allocating vehicles to operators in a way that would best serve the interests of the public.
Representatives of the industry put forward the unanimous view that the Government's proposed allocation of public-service vehicles to the home market in 1948 was far too small and would seriously interfere with the expansion of services and the maintenance or fleets " Serious Consideration" In 1949
The Minister indicated that serious consideration would have to he given to the question of the allocation of available vehicles in 1949 and subsequent years, unless the present rate of production could be increased.
In connection with the operation of contract carriages over long distances for recreational purposes, the P.V.O.A. pointed out that the majority of operators fully appreciated the gravity of the country's economic position and was doing everything possible to ensure that vehicles were used first on essential services before undertaking other journeys.
Other news of P.V.0,A. activities is as follows:—
Action has been taken in an attempt to prevent Rochdale Corporation from securing power to extend from 12 to 15 miles the radius of operation of contract carriages. Steps taken bythe Association caused Salford Corporation to agree to withdraw from its Bill a clause seeking new powers to operate contract carriages within the borough. Coventry Corporation's Bill, in which the council seeks power to run taxi-cab services, is also being contested.
The P.V.O.A. points out that, with the growing demand by local authorities and others for the hire of vehicles for stage-carriage services, operators should ensure that their public-service vehicle licences cover the use of vehicles as stage, as well as express and contract, carriages.
Bournemouth Parking It is hoped shortly to announce arrangements to be made with Bournemouth Corporation, whereby the parking facilities and picking-up and settingdown points which have been available in the centre of the town will be continued. As reported in the issue of "The Commercial Motor" dated November 14, 1947, Bournemouth Corporation proposed to remove these facilities to a point about 14 miles from the centre of the town, 'The P'V.O.A. contested this scheme.