Swap operators tour licence
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METROPOLITAN Area Traffic Commissioners have granted a new continental tours licence to Kingsman Coaches Limited of Harpenden, Bedfordshire.
Kingsman Coaches and Beeline Travel of Hemel Hempstead had both applied for tours licences for European tour; via four. ports for between one and 21 days duration.
A feature of the application was that an interchange clause would allow one coach to operate the services of both operators.
The operators were supported by 14 public witnesses and a Harpenden travel agent at a two day public sitting.
Originally objectors included Wallace Arnold Tours Limited, Tricentrol Coaches Ltd, National Travel (South East) Ltd, B and B Services and Premier-Albanian Coaches. Christopher Grieves for both applicants submitted that the Harpenden area was one _which justified touring and it was in the public interest that tours should start at convenient points.
Wallace Arnold, Tricentrol Coaches and National Travel (South East) withdrew their objections at the start of the hearing.
The Commissioners felt that the strongest evidence of need came from the Harpenden area and they granted the application which included Wheathampstead and Redbourn. They however considered that the strongest objections concerned the Hemel Hempstead area so the Beeline Travel application was rejected.
Kingsman Coaches hope to market relaxed atmosphere tours including a six day Rhine Valley tour, a three day Paris and Wieze Beer Festival tours as well as Calais and Wissant day tours.