Airport Mini-bus Bid Hotly Contested
Page 40
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
I.XISTING road and rail facilities J—■ between Aintree and Manchester and Liverpool airports were criticized at Liverpool last week, when Mr. R. Booth, a travel agent, applied to operate a " minibus " service from his agency. Mr. J. Edward Jones, for the applicant, said that he only wanted to carry passengers who had already booked flights through him, and their relatives or friends wishing to travel to the airport. Mr. Booth wished to provide a through service from Aintree to the two airports, using a direct route and avoiding the city centres.
Liverpool and Manchester were linked by road and rail, but there were no through services from Aintree. When passengers returned from the Continent they often arrived late at night or early in the morning and had difficulty in travelling home. The mini-bus would meet the flight regardless of the arrival time. The only picking-up point would be at the travel agency at Longmoor Lane, Aintree.
In evidence, Mr. Booth stated that the applicant proposed to charge 25s. single fare to Manchester airport and 6s. to Liverpool. Many Aintree residents travelled from Ringway and the present journey involved changes from bus and train which were inconvenient when carrying luggage. He told Mr. G. H. P. Beames, objecting for British Railways, that there was no shortage of rail facilities between the two cities. Mr. Beames observed that passengers would still have to travel from their homes to the agency by public transport. The application was opposed by seven road operators and Liverpool Corporation. Mr. G. P. Crowe, appearing for four of these, said that recent travel brochures obtained from the travel agency had advertised the mini-bus service, which was not yet licensed to operate. Mr. Booth replied that if the application was refused they would find taxis for their passengers.
At this juncture the chairman of the North Western Traffic Commissioners, Maj.-Gen. A. F. J. Elmslie, said that two road service licences would be necessary, one for each airport.
A representative of British Railways stated that there were over 70 trains a day between Liverpool and Manchester, operating over three routes.
The case is to be continued.