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Bids for Dispensation Not Proof of Need

5th August 1960, Page 28
5th August 1960
Page 28
Page 28, 5th August 1960 — Bids for Dispensation Not Proof of Need
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APPLICATIONS for dispensation to operate additional vehicles were not necessarily an indication of need, and could arise through overbooking, Mr. F. D. Walker told the North Western Traffic Commissioners at Manchester last Friday. He was objecting, for Yelloway Motor Services, Ltd., Rochdale. to an application by Ellen Smith's (Tours), Ltd.. Rochdale.

Mr. J. Backhouse. for the applicants, said they sought to link their excursion and tour licences based on Rochdale and Oldham. to increase vehicle allowances and to add destinations to each licence to make the schedules common. It was admitted that irregular linking had taken place for many years, and had continued up to the end of 1959 because they were uncertain of the position. Many applications for dispensation were made to the Traffic Commissioners in 1959, some of which were refused.

Questioned by Mr. J. Booth, for British Railways, Mr. H. Smith, traffic manager, agreed that the majority of the 1959 linking was during Oldham annual holidays.

In reply to Mr. Walker, Mr. Smith admitted the use of 13 vehicles from Rochdale on June 19, in contravention of the vehicle allowance of nine. He had interpreted the licence as allowing 18 vehicles to be operated from both Rochdale and Oldham at holiday periods. but he had since learned that this was incorrect, If the present application had been granted in 1959, said Mr. Booth, Smith's could have operated 192 additional excursions. There was insufficient evidence to justify any grant, and the two catchment areas had little in common.

Mr. Backhouse submitted that there was room for railways and coaches to run side by side to the popular resorts. The division between Rochdale and Oldham was artificial and the inhabitants should be offered as wide a selection of excursions as those of Rochdale.

Reserving decision, the chairman, Mr. F. Williamson, said it was strange that Smith's were linking only at peak periods, when the usual application was to link during the slack season. Some of the evidence suggested that the vehicle allowance was too high. He would advise the applicants not to seek further dispensations in the near future, whether the present application was successful or not.


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