. EAST MIDLAND COMMISSIONER'S PLAIN STATEMENTS
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The Chairman Gives Bus Operators a Clear Understanding of Their Position WHEN the Traffic Commissioners for the East Midland Area sat at Nottingham, Mr. J. H. Stirk, who presided, warned bus proprietors against the practice of " cruising" in the streets to pick up passengers, in that way failing to maintain proper services. He pointed out that an operator was liable to a fine of £20 if he did not run to time-table.
• Mr. Stirk also impressed upon applicants the fact that it is a serious offence to run an unlicensed service and commented upon high average speeds. During the course of evidence on behalf of a bus operator, the chairman of the Commissioners said that he wanted it to be clearly understood that all holders of licences would have to comply with section 19 of the Road Traffic Act, relating to the conditions of employment.
Mr. S. 0. Stevenson applied for a licence for the Sunny Hill route out of Derby and was opposed by Derby Corporation, which clairned to provide an adequate half-hourly service. On behalf of the applicant it was asked if it were considered to be in the pone interest to compel passengers to walk
528 yards to reach a corporation bus.
Eleven objections were forthcoming against the application of the International Express Services, Ltd., for permission to operate between Nottingham and Liverpool.
The first public inquiry held in the East Midland Area was recently staged, when Nottingham Corporation applied for permission to run on seven routes involving travel outside the city boundary. The Trent Motor Traction Co., Ltd., East Midland Motor Services Co., Ltd., the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., the Barton Transport Co., Ltd., Messrs. Wards Bus Service and Arnold Urban District Council were the objectors.
For the municipality it was contended that as it had provided the housing estates around the city it was entitled to a monopoly of travelling facilities to those places.
On behalf of the Trent concern it was stated that it already operated over five of the routes concerned. It was pointed out that the routes were adequately served by the Trent Motor Traction Co., Ltd., and other concerns, including the "Midland Red." • Finally, it was decided to permit the corporation to operate certain of the services.
The Leicester and District Bus Co. is appealing against the refusal of the East Midland Traffic Commissioners to license a Leicester-Yarmouth service. This is the second appeal against the decisions of the Commissioners for that area. The first is that of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., against the ruling in connection with private and the municipal under.
takings.
Barrow and Blaby Councils are protesting against the ruling that the buses .belonging to outside operators may not pick up passengers within 440 yards of a Leicester Corporation bus or tram-route terminus. Barrow Rural District Council is to support the appeal by the " Midland-Red " concern.