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Give the 'Public Travel-by-road Holidays

15th June 1945, Page 31
15th June 1945
Page 31
Page 31, 15th June 1945 — Give the 'Public Travel-by-road Holidays
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Facilities Should Now be Provided to Enable P.S.V. Operators By to Relieve the Holiday Transport Problem " Tantalus "

ARLY in April representations were made to the M.O.W.T, by the National Road Transport Federa

tion on behalf of p.s.v. operators. The object was to obtain some relaxation in the restrictive control of passenger vehicles, so as to permit of increased facilities being made available for the public. So far no official policy has been announced in this matter. The long-suffering public and the p.s.v. operators, apparently, are on the waiting list for consideration in due course, and, presumably, are not regarded as being of primapr importance.

It is estimated that the licences of something like 2,000 p.s.v. operators were suspended early in the war. Each of thee undertakings operated at least three services— long distance, excursions and tours, or seasonal. The continued denial of the use of these services to the community has resulted not only in increased travel strain in the physical sense but in many cases,actual hardship has been proved. It is high time the needs of the public were considered and met in an adequate manner,

The war-strained people need a holiday this year. A period of nearly six years is a long time for industrial effort to be maintained at the highest level,, and for emotional stresses to be fully extended. Generally, the people are feeling the strain of the war years and are seeking renewed vigour in a holiday break. In a statement made recently by Col. Llewellin, Minister of Food, he remarked that every facility should be made available to holiday-makers. Other members of the Government also have encouraged the workers to take holidays away from home.

View Not Shared by M.O.W.T.

It would seem, rather, that the M.O.W.T. does not share this view, as practically no extra travel facilities have been provided. In this connection, ho-wever, it should be stated that some 'little time ago a request was made to the railway companies by the Minister, asking them to run additional trains provided the essential services would not be interrupted. This, of course, affords an opportunity for the railway companies to use their discretion as to the extent of increased facilities which may or may not be provided. " Essential services " cover a multitude of alibis. The request, of the Minister, in itself, does not raise any hope of the abolition of long queues and teclious.bours of waiting before boarding the trains. Nor does it mean that sitting for hours on suitcas'es in corridors will be abolished. The public clamours to be freed from these irksome and frequently distressing conditions, and to be permitted to enjoy holiday journeys in some reasonable degree of comfort.

It is fairly safe to assume that, whatever number of additional trains the railways are able to provide, these will not be sufficient to cope with the holiday traffic. The supply position of locomotives and rolling stock is sufficient evidence in itself. Moreover, to whatever extent the goods-traffic load may be lightened following the end of the European war, there appears no prospect of this happening to the passenger side so far as the railways are concerned_ It has been computed that at least 30,000,000 people will be going on holidays this year; this figure represents more than twice the number who went in 19139. Also, there must be considered the flow of repatriated prisoners of war, the returning evacuees and, at a little later date,

the demobilization of Service personnel will be in full swing. So it is difficult for the public to view the outlook with optimism or to be stimulated by any hope of an appreciable changefor the better. What is needed, of course, is more speed and imagination in dealing with those shortages which are making life so difficult and unpleasant for the community ; and in no instance is thisnmore apparent than in transport, which affects every phase of life.

In an attempt to mitigate this state of affairs, is there any reason why the licences of p.s.v. operators should not be restored? It is not claimed that any such restoration would solve the problem completely; but it would make a valuable contribution towards some alleviation of the position. Shortage of oil fuels cannot be accepted as an excuse fordelayed action, and the fact that the restrictions governing the purchase of inner tubes and outer covers have been removed is evidence that the rubber shortage is no longer acute.

Labour Problem Could be Solved The question of the shortage of labour is one in regard to which the M.O.W.T. should have 110 difficulty in putting up a strong case for the demobilization of former drivers and essential personnel under Class B, so as to ensure an early return to civil employment. The supply position in this respect may, quite likely, present some difficulty; but even this should occasion no insoluble problem. It is more than likely that if the supply position in relation to Service requirements be reviewed, allocations could be made in sufficient numbers to enable pre-war p.s.v. services to be restored in part, if not wholly.

In order to test the feasibility of the foregoing pro posals the p.s.v. representative body should be invited to formulate a scheme on a regional basis and in conjunction with the Regional Transport Commissioners. Proposed schedules of services and fares could be prepared, and the possibilities of practical operation be investigated. The matter should be treated as one of urgency.

The p.s.v. section of the industry is most efficiently organized, and, in every way, is fully equipped to undertake the task. A Government Committee, and the usual long-drawn-out procedure, is neither desirable nor necessary. Indeed, it would provide only a ready excuse for procrastination; but if the p.s.v. section was given a free hand and facilities to go ahead, it would not be long before motor coaches were once again a familiar sight on the roads.

It is essential, therefore, that p.s.v. operators should

urge their association 'to press their claims with all vigour and determination, fortified by the knowledge that they have the full support of the public behind them. Now that VE-Day is receding into the past, the community has a right to anticipate some relief from the difficulties and discomforts of travel which-for so long, have been borne with patience and forbearance.

In the. words of the Prime Minister, "Controls are a distasteful necessity in time of war and, except where they are proved to be essential in the transition period, a handicap to the Nation's recovery." It follows, then, that the Nation should' have at its command adequate transport services for both passenger and 'goods traffics.

Tags

Organisations: Government Committee
People: Llewellin

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