ARE CONTRACT RATES BEING CUT?
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THERE are many of the older-established operators I who, I think, will agree with Mr. D. Moore Heppleston's observations in your issue dated February 23. My current experience is that the newcomer to the industry is evidently ready to give very low contract rates, perhaps at the expense of a more lucrative side of his business (if this exists), in an attempt to corner all the business available in specific localities.
Instances readily come to mind where operators quite cheerfully quote for journeys dangerously near, or below, operating cost. One of whom I know is in the unique position of being able to compete with a 29-seater against a man with a seven-seater car, whilst another happily ignores all his dead mileage in covering long distances.
However, Mr. Moore-Heppelston need not worry himself unduly, for these operator-learners will eventually meet down the same drain. Thinking these things over, one is reminded of the poor ostrich with his head
in the sand. H. C. R. FLIGHT.
(For White Lion Motorways.) Wooton-under-Edge.