Commissioners Refuse Bid to Run Atlanteans on Camp Services
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THE Western Traffic Commissioner& last week in Salisbury refused an application by Silver Star Motor Services, Ltd., of Porton, Wiltshire, who wanted to use two Leyland Atlantean 73-seaters on camp services to _Liverpool, Swansea and Leeds from Porton Camp. There were objections from Wilts and Dorset Motor Services, Ltd., and independent coach operators.
For Wilts and Dorset, Mr. T. D. Corpe said such a grant would be the last nail in the coffin of any working agreement between the operators. None of the objectors would agree to operators running double-deckers on camp services.
The Commissioners were told that Silver Star had acquired the two Atlanteans for long-distance services. Silver Star did not think that the use of the vehicles would interfere with any tentative agreements leading to pooled traffic. They were trying to cut down the cost and give improved services.
Giving the Commissioners' decision, the chairman, Mr. S. W. Nelson, said it was an unusual application and in their view one of the utmost importance. They had to gip back to 1931 when the Traffic Commissioners evolved a standard set of conditions for express services, which still applied. One of the conditions was that no double-decker should be operated, and to this there were few exceptions.
There were many reasons for that, the primary one being road safety. Doubledeckers were used generally by large operators who had appliances and machinery for trimming overhanging trees and branches, and other similar work that had to be done at all times. Furthermore, as operators of regular services, it would be unthinkable for one of their double-deckers to stray from the authorized route.
The applicants, went on Mr. Nelson, were relatively small operators with 23 p.s.v.s licensed, and with only one service on which double-deckers were used. It was well known that there was not such close control on vehicle's used for excursions and tours as on regular services. There was no suggestion that Silver Star could not cope adequately with their traffic.
The application was not refused because of the alleged unsuitability of the vehicles, neither did they base their reluctance to grant the application on the objectors saying that they would not "go into a scheme • for pooling traffic if double-deckers were used.