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Discussing Mr. Custance's Paper

28th May 1965, Page 116
28th May 1965
Page 116
Page 116, 28th May 1965 — Discussing Mr. Custance's Paper
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Mr. a' S. Deacon (Brighton, Hove and District) joined issue with Mr. Distance and said that the PTA must be said to be .quite capable. It was all-embracing, covering companies; large independents, the PVOA and -representatives from con tractors, and this should be adequate. It 'was true that LT/3 was not represented, but its problems were quite different.

Capital investment for buses could be relatively small,making it ideal for short-term planning. The Ministry should not try to lay down objectives which were too • rigid. The bus industry should take its place in central planning,. but an over-sophisticated approach would destroy some of itS adaptability. Mr. N. H. Dean (Yorkshire Traction) did not quarrel with the need for and importance of research. On congestion; he said anything Mr. -Custance or his' colleagues could dO would be welcome. If all types of traffic could be carried evenly over 16 hours, problems would be much less. .Mr. Dean made a plea to clear the towns of traffic congestion because bitses were tied to licensed routes and could not deviate. • Mr. T. G. Pruett (Thames Valley) suggested a central corn: mince formed of representatives from existing passenger operator organizations. On co-ordination, he said there was plenty of scope for more, particularly_betwecn municipalities and companies.

Was there any point in investing in better services and facilities when investment in better roads could not be made? was a question asked by Mr, A. I. .White (Maidstone and District). The MoT could already fake all the iriTormation it required from existing bodies: a higher body was not required. Mr. T. Glass (secretary, SRPTA) said that existing associations covered all forms of public transport. Each association was quite familiar with the activities of the others. On traffic congestion, he said a commonsense local approach was needed.

The need for an approach at local level was also stressed by Mr. J. W. Womar (Potteries) who suggested that co-ordination at local government level was important. The bus was not just another vehicle on the road, but a real .service to the public and community.

Replying, Mr. Distance said that he still thought some central body would be useful, for such things as research into traffic problems. On the problem of commuters and peak traffic, the Ministry would have to help the industry with this problem. Mr. Custance mentioned road pricing for private vehicles, but said this was an extremely tricky and thorny subject. It was not an easy matter but a good deal of work was going on.


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