N.W. Traffic Commissioners Face 29 Operators in Linking Case
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TWENTY-NINE Manchester a n d I Salford operators of tours and excursions joined forces at Manchester, last week, to oppose proposals, by the North Western Traffic Commissioners to prohibit the linking of destinations and catchment areas, and to limit vehicles.
They sought to continue linking to all the North Wales resorts, Morecambe, Keswick, York and Scarborough. The proposals were supported by British Railways and five express operators.
For the objectors, Mr. W. Woolley, assistant traffic manager, North Western Road Car Co., Ltd., considered that.their facilities to York and Scarborough should be protected. For the tours operators. Mr. J. Backhouse said that North Western had the advantage of unlimited duplication. Their Scarborough service was useless to a person who wished to go on a day excursion as it arrived at 2.15 p.m. and left at 3 p.m.
Mr. H. Allen, manager of Creams (Lancashire), Ltd., pointed out that by picking up en route to a given destination, his company prevented passengers from being carried by small operators on linked services.
Mr. G.. Dawes, traffic assistant of Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., observed that they operated a high-frequency service between Manchester and Morecambe. This was ideal for passengers who were staying or just visiting the town for a day. So far as he knew they had never had to refuse traffic on these services.
Throughout the summer, trains were operated from Manchester to all the destinations in question, said Mr. E. Frost, district passenger manager of the railways.
It was the first time Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., had figured in this type of case, stated Mr. G. Penketh, divisional manager. They were stage operators in North Wales, and if the applications were granted the linked services would have the same effect as express working 132 superimposed upon their stage routes.
To this Mr. Backhouse remarked: "Crosville should be grateful to people who bring passengers into Wales." A linked service could have an adverse effect on stage operators 100 miles away, submitted Mr. P. Kershaw, for Crosville and the railways.
Objecting for Ribble, North Western, Lancashire United Transport, Ltd., and Creams, Mr. F. D. Walker stated that the existing express services catered adequately for all types of passenger. The prohibition of linking would not cause hardship to the public, he claimed.
Summing up, Mr. Backhouse said that the ULM of the matter was how other people would be affected if the applications were granted. Linking did not affect
the public a great deal. .
Mr. F. Williamson, chairman, said that the Commissioners would reserve 'their decision.
• EXCURSIONS _TO NEWMARKET SOUGHT'
AS a result of an approach by the secretary of the Jockey Club at Newmarket. the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd., applied at Manchester on Monday to run excursions from Manchester to Newmarket Races.
Mr. W. Woolley, assistant traffic manager of North Western, said that at present he knew of no services which operated direct to Newmarket from Manchester. The proposed fare would be £1 10s., he added.
Objecting for nine private operators, Mr. J. Backhouse said that there was no evidence that the public wanted the new facilities. No record had been kept of the few inquiries which had been made.
Refusing the application, Mr. F. Williamson, chairman, said that the evidence was "very weak."