STANDARDIZING COACH FARES FROM THE METROPOLITAN AREA
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Coach Operators Quickly Respond to the Commissioner's Invitation to Prepare a Common Schedule
MHE meeting of coach operators con cerned in routes connecting London with towns on the east, south-east and south coasts, convened by the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association, was held at Cannon Street Hotel, London, on June 22nd, in accordance with the announcement made in last week's issue. The object of the meeting was to decide upon a schedule of fares to submit to the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner, in accordance with his request. The chair was taken by Mr. F. A. Flin.
At the outset, it was pointed out by Mr. Cousins, of United Automobile Services, Ltd., that in the Eastern area several applications have been • heard and licences granted, so that the question arose whether the Eastern Traffic Commissioners would agree to amend fares on such licences. Another operator remarked that the Eastern Coin
missioners had promised to fix fares and had actually received a schedule of recommendations from operators. However, it was decided to act in accordance with the invitation of the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner, in the hope that a common basis might be agreed between him and the Commissioners of other areas.
At first it was thought best to decide upon the minimum fa res,which, in effect, would mean settling the fares for the winter months. However, because of the difficulty of seasonal operators (not concerned with winter operation) voting in connection with winter fares, it
was decided on the proposal of Mr. Eric Monkman to deal with the fares for the summer season, i.e., from Easter to the end of September, because these would concern all operators, and to ask the Commissioner to deal separately with the question of reduced fares for the winter months. On this basis the meeting proceeded to decide single and period-return fares, certain of the operators pointing out the danger of the railway companies revising their fares after the road travel fares had been fixed.
The schedule arrived at was submitted to the Metropolitan Commissioner on Wednesday last. At the sitting that day he did not deal with the fares one by one, but discussion took place on the broader questions Of standardization. The four big railway interests suggested that fares should be considered on a mileage basis.