WALLACE ARNOLD BATTLES ON
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WALLACE ARNOLD TOURS LTD.'s application to carry inclusive Continental tours passengers (CM, April 21 and 28) came under heavy fire when the hearing was resumed before the North Western Traffic Commissioners at Manchester on Monday and Tuesday.
The bid is for new licences originating at Preston, with a feeder service from Liverpool, to run to Southend Airport, Dover and Southampton.
Giving evidence for Ribble Motor Services Ltd., W. C. Standerwick Ltd., Scout Motor Services Ltd., Eastern National Omnibus Co. Ltd., and Western National Omnibus Co. Ltd., Mr. G. Dawes, licensing officer for Ribble, said the application was contrary to sound North Western area practice— inclusive tour range of fares and destination on the Continent having been omitted.
Mr. J. Hawkins, divisional manager's office, Manchester, in answer to Mr. J. Backhouse, for British Railways, also objecting, detailed services and facilities between Lancashire towns and London, Dover, Southampton and Rochford (for Southend Airport) with emphasis on the new electrified service between Manchester and London. He feared that if these applications succeeded Wallace Arnold might revise the pattern of the operations to BR's detriment. Mr. Marshall reminded him that a rough estimate of Wallace Arnold total annual payments to B.R. would be £80,000.
Evidence for the objectors was also given by Mr. J. Badger, East Kent Road Car Co. Ltd.; Mr. B. Boyes, Crosville Motor Services Ltd.; and Mr. H. Allen, Yelloway Motor Services Ltd. Mr. Bodger said the number of Continental passengers on East Kent's London-Dover services this year would be well down. Mr. Boyes said that Crosville had already lost traffic to rail following the introduction of the electrified service between Liverpool and London-60 per cent of its services were unremunerative. Mr. Allen said Yelloways was prepared to adjust its Lancashire-London express service to meet any additional requirements.
The hearing continues on Monday.