Operating Aspects of
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PASSENGER TRANSPORT
PUBLIC UTILITY OF LONDON COACH SERVICES SERIOUSLY CURTAILED
The Metropolitan Commissioner Bans Services from the Central Area and Almost Eliminates Pick-up Points AT a sitting on November 13th the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner announced his considered policy in respect of coach services connecting London with nearby towns. The Commissioner stated that, in his opinion, limited-stop services of this particular character should not be operated within the central area, but should be operated only to certain definite points just outside that central area. Passengers could then travel to and from the centre of the Metropolis by motorbus, tramcar and Underground services.
This decision amounts to bringing into existence the "banned zone" which the late Minister of Transport, Mr. Herbert Morrison, endeavoured to establish, but which he was obliged to withdraw, leaving it to the Commissioner to settle each case on merits.
The Commissioner further stated that he was of the opinion that coach services of this particular nature should be allowed to pick up passengers only at certain defined points on their route, and that to and from these points passengers ought to travel by the ordinary short-stage facilities. The Commissioner said that the public convenience would be adequately met if there were not more than two pickingup points on the outward route within the Metropolitan Traffic Area.
After outlining his policy the Commissioner announced individual decisions. He dismissed the applications of Green Line Coaches, Ltd., in respect of he London-Maidenhead route (via Slough), also the London-Windsor routes (via Slough and via Staines).
On the other hand, he granted to Premier Line, Ltd., a 20-minute service between London and Windsor, subject to amendment of the application according to the above-mentioned principles. He did not, however, grant the application of Highways, Ltd., for the London-Windsor route (via Slough).
The Sunningdale-Dartfotd and AscotDartford applications of Green Line Coaches, Ltd., were granted, also the London-Sunbury Common application ; the application for the Premier Line, Ltd., as regards the latter route was, however, dismissed. The Green Line concern is appealing against the licence refusals and against the general conditions.
At a subsequent sitting on November 16th the cases of Ledbury Transport Co., Ltd. (London-Reading), Pring's Motor Coaches (London-Newbury), Thames Valley Traction Co., Ltd. (London-Reading), and the Skylark Motor Coach Co., Ltd. (London-High Wycombe) were considered.
A special application by the Ledbury concern in respect to the central area, based on the argument that, with another company, it shared premises in Upper Regent Street at a rental of £1,350 per annum, was refused. The Thames Valley concern's application for an increase in the existing service of 10 coaches each way daily was dismissed, after opposition.
Mr. Arthur Moon, K.C., on behalf of the Skylark concern, contended that the Commissioner had no jurisdiction to restrict any coach service from any particular street, his ground being that the London Traffic Act governed such matters, and another Act would be necessary to interfere with that position. The Commissioner replied that the Road Traffic Act required him to determine the route, and that he, therefore, must surely have jurisdiction to do so. In further argument, the Commissioner said that it was open to any applicant to point out reasons why it was not right that the principles outlined above should apply in an individual case.
It was stated that 70 per cent. of the Skylark traffic was from Oxford Circus.
The Commissioner explained that be had consulted the Commissioner of Police and had come to the conclusion that there was no case for any exceptional treatment of this applicant. A terminal point would have to be selected outside the central area and there could be two other pick-up points.
The main decision on the application, along with others of the Green Line and other concerns heard during last week, , was reserved.
The Roadways Federation, Ltd., was concerned in the question as to legality of the Commissioner's action, which it regards as of the utmost seriousness. The attitude of the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association, Ltd., is that now is not the time to fight the Commissioner's decision.