Rail Objections Annoy Commissioners A NNUAL revision of excursions and tour
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fares was continued, last week, by the North-Western Traffic Commissioners. Many reductions were asked for, and an outstanding request for the cheap evening fares to Blackpool and Morecambe during the illuminations period to be available throughout the year was fought strenuously by the railways and by express operators.
Mr. W. Chamberlain, chairman, insisted on need being proved in all cases, but gave favourable hearing to certain revisions, adding in explanation: " We generally agree to a fare for excursions and tours of about 0.75d. per mile."
A witness for the applicants from Colne stated that the railway offered cheap evening trips and attracted such crowds that they had to give 200 disappointed people their money back, because the train was too full. But these people would not go by road, because the lowest road fare was 6s., compared with the rail rate of 2s.
Mr. G. Seddon, for the railways, submitted that each year the road opera tors were applying for reduced fares, although the competitive rail fares had not been disturbed within the past five years. The cheap evening rail fares were not harming the road operators, because they never had this traffic.
The chairman pointed out that some suggested fares worked out at 0.40d. per mile and sometimes the Commissioners acted in the best interests of operators by refusing such requests. Decisions were deferred.
Mr. Chamberlain expressed annoyance at the nature of railway opposition during an application by Burnley operators to run to Leeds for pantomimes at 4s. 6d., instead of (Is. 6d. The rail fare was 3s., and an occasional rail trip was run at is. 9d. Mr. Chamberlain asked whether, apart from the 1s. 9d. trip, which they could run when they liked, the railways wanted more than 50 per cent. protection on ordinary fares?
If the railways were going to insist on proof of need in every case, the Commissioners, he said, would not bring these matters to the sittings.