OOLIGANISM ON THE BUSES
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and • • . The drinks ban
"awareness of self" to the passengers. This is reported to have been successful in reducing vandalism in lifts.
A negative note in the report is the recommendation for dealing with football vandalism. It suggests the use of special stripped-down vehicles that "could be repaired between engagements without disrupting the normal service requirement for vehicles."
A campaign encouraging passengers to go to the assistance of conductors in difficulty is also recommended. Also the provision of name badges for conductors and drivers. "This would help remind aggrieved passengers that bus crews are people with homes and families —not faceless employees of a large public undertaking."
One-man operation is said to be less likely to create violence because the passenger initiates the contact by asking for his fare rather than have the conductor demand it. Also there will often be a queue of passengers waiting to enter the bus behind any potential assailant — "providing social pressure to pay the fare and make way for the next passenger."
Radio control also comes in for praise. "The sensitive quick-witted radio controller can provide instant support by indicating the proximity of bus inspectors, police vehicles and similar deterrents." NO crates of drinks may now be carried on football excursion coaches in the Northern Traffic Area. This is one of the provisions of a four-point experimental plan introduced by the Traffic Commissioners Last week to combat troubles caused by football hooligans travelling on coaches.
The other new restrictions are : • No tour shall arrive at the destination more than one hour before kick-off or depart more than one hour after the final whistle.
III No tour shall stop within 10 miles of its destination.
• No tour shall stop for more than one hour at licensed premises en route.
The new rules will initially be applied for an eight-week trial period from October 1 to November 25. They are binding on all coaches working on road service licences, primary and backings issued by the Northern Traffic Area authorising tours and excursions to Association Football matches. The Commissioners have also stated that they intend to apply the rules on a permanent basis.
Private hire coaches are not legally bound to obey the new conditions but the Commissioners have issued a clear warning that they expect the drivers to do so. They remind operators of the powers of suspension and revocation held and the inference is clear that these powers will be applied to any private hire vehicle not obeying the conditions as the ultimate sanction.
"The Commissioners do not expect operators or drivers to do the impossible or to 'have a go' but the above conditions can be made clear to those making block bookings for tours and to organisers of private parties. The police are requested to notify the Commissioners of any use of psv's which may have led to or encouraged outbreaks of hooliganism or violence," continues the statement. "The Commissioners are prepared to exercise their powers of discipline swiftly and firmly if necessary."
A Department of the Environment spokesman said that other traffic areas were considering applying the same restrictions. He said that only alcohol in bulk was included ' in the ban as it was not possible to impose stricter conditions that would result in drivers having to frisk passengers for individual bottles.
Coach operators are also being asked to inform the police of the motorway service stations where they intend to stop so that action can be taken to avoid clashes between groups of rival fans.
The "thinly veiled threat" to suspend or revoke the licences of coach operators who did not. abide by the new " suggestions " of the Traffic Commissioners with regard to private hire operations has alarmed the Confederation of British Road Passenger Transport. A spokesman said that he doubted if the Commissioners held the necessary legal powers to implement their threats. He said that if the coach passengers ran wild after they reached their destination it looked as though the operator would be blamed for this.
Also, as the maximum rest period at the destination is limited to 3 hours 40 minutes by the new ruling, this could lead to a conflict in applying the drivers' hours restrictions if only one driver was used on the trip.
IN the battle against violence and vandalism London Transport have awarded a contract to Redifon Telecommunications for more than 200 radiotelephones.
The contract is the first instalment of a plan by LT to fit 6,000 vehicles with radiotelephones in a programme lasting several years.
In the early stages the equipment will be used by bus crews to call for help in case of trouble. But once the system is fully developed data will be transmitted automatically from the vehicles and the information used to improve fleet control.