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Stratford battle

11th August 1984, Page 18
11th August 1984
Page 18
Page 18, 11th August 1984 — Stratford battle
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

DESPITE the declared intentions of the Government to deregulate stage carriage operations, an independent bid to provide services in the Stratford-uponAvon area in competition with existing operators is still being strongly resisted before the West Midland Traffic Commissioners.

,The Best of British Travel (UK) trading as Shakespeare Country Bus Services, (a company formed by Roger Thompson, a director of Guide Friday, and Arthur Smith of Smiths Coaches Shennington), is seeking two new services.

The first is an hourly service from the Dovehouse Farm housing estate, Wellsbourne into the town centre and the second is a town service within Stratford itself.

The applications were opposed by Midland Red South, David R Grasby Coach Hire, Warwickshire County Council and Wellsbourne Parish Council (CM, June 30).

Asked whether Midland Red South would make the same kind of threatened service cuts if two or three other operators come in on the Stratford services after deregulation, the company's general manager, Jonathon Bayliss, said it depended on the final outcome of the proposed legislation. The NBC companies were not opposed to an ordered change.

But they were saying they should be allowed to operate under the same financial regime as other operators.

David Grasby said he operated stage services in the area without revenue support. His total revenue on services from Dovehouse Farm was £9,420 per year.

He anticipated he would lose £1,000 as a result of abstraction which would mean he would be unable to continue to maintain the unprofitable parts of his.network.

John Hodgkins, Warwickshire's public transport co-ordinator, said the proposed services would undermine the financial performance of Midland Red South's existing network.

The company's Dovehouse Farm and town services presently contributed to its overheads of E70,000.

The Commissioners adjourned the hearing until August 16 and 17.


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