Excursion operators object to stage fares
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• Halifax Joint Omnibus Committee applied in Leeds on Tuesday to increase all stage carriage fares by Id, while retaining the 3d minimum, and received objections from five local excursion operators.
For the committee, Mr. M. Scott, deputy town clerk, submitted that the Commissioners should not waste their time listening to the views of persons who did not provide comparable services and that the objections were irrelevant since he could not see how increases on stage carriage fares could be harmful competition to tours operations. The chairman of the Commissioners, Mr. H. E. Robson, said a similar objection had been allowed by the Transport Tribunal and he felt these should be permitted also.
Due to the recent wage award and increased costs totalling £54,000 the committee would have an estimated £44,000 deficit by March 31 1969. Frozen back pay
amounting to £28,000 was to be paid on Friday (today) said the general manager Mr. G. Hilditch, but the committee was not seeking to recoup this sum. However, a similar amount would be needed for the next year and the new fares would raise an additional £36,818.
For private objectors, Mr. J. D. Walker submitted that there was very substantial undercutting on private hire and excursion rates as between the JOC and his clients. and that if they were put up to a comparable rate, stage fares would not have to be increased. The chairman said comparisons could only be made if relevant costs from all parties were submitted and on receipt of these the Commissioners would decide whether any action should be taken. Meantime they would grant the increase from February 10 next.