Should Cheap Fares be Abolished ? LANCS MERGER TO BE
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ENFORCED?
THE important question of whether the Minister of Transport's decision (on appeal by Ribble Motor Services, Ltd.) refusing cheap day fares on various express and stage services should apply to cheap fares already in existence on such services, was discussed at a sitting of the NorthWestern Traffic Commissioners, last week.
Consideration of applications by the Ribble company had been reserved for this occasion. Mr. E. S. Herbert stated that the concern wanted on all its Services to Blackpool during the illuminations to provide cheap return fares in 1936-1937, as in 1935, and for five years past.
Mr. P. Kershaw (for the L.M.S. Railway Co.) pointed out that since the publication of the appeal decision, the whole question of cheap fares on scheduled services must be looked at afresh. It was not enough for the applicant to say that this was a special provision for unusual traffic and, therefore, principles which: had been laid down after much discussion must be set at naught.
From every town in Lancashire and beyond these fares would he in operation. In his submission, the Blackpool traffic was not of such a kind that it could not be •thanaged on .exdursions arid tours licences. Only on mdst overwhelming cOnsideratiOns shOnId cheap fares be allowed to scheduled opera Mr. Herbert contended that the railways Were asking the'Conimitsioners'to make fundamental alterations to a long-tried System, withoutptoViding any evidence that the railways had been adversely affected by it. The Ribble applications which were refused on appeal were for something new. That argument could not be put against the present applications, which referred to oceasions when there was ampt0 -traffic fot every form of trans ..there Was no challenge On appeal of such cheap chy farts as were' in exist
ence. The Minister had not said that the Commissioners must take away all cheap day traffic from the scheduled services. In his submission, the Minister's decision, the only argument of the railways against the applications, did not in any sense bear upon the position.
The Commissioners reserved their decision and accepted some returns by the railway, showing carryings, as follow, on half-day and evening Special trains to the illuminations:—
IT is thought in some quarters that the Minister of Transport may give a decision favourable to the participants, in connection with the proposal to form a transport board for south-east Lancashire. Representatives of Manchester, Salford and Oldham Corporations, the remaining protagonists of the merger, recently interviewed the Minister, and it has been reported that an announcement from him may be expected at any moment.
It should be noted that the Royal Blue coach, illustrated in our issue dated June 5, was of Leyland make.