Anomalies of Administration
Page 54
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INCONSISTENCIES in the administration of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, may still be observed, and one of the principals of a well-known independent coaching concern, when spending a day at a sitting of the Traffic Commissioners, noted several outstanding anomalies.
He described bis observations, to a representative of The Commercial Motor, as " notes of a day of interest in the administration and compulsory operation of public-service vehicles owned by bona fide operators, or the tale of how an enlightened democracy helps its constituent parts to travel according to its own inclination."
An operator applied for two additional picking-up points, on an excursion and tour licence, in respect of a newly developed district well within his sphere of operation. There were no objections and the routes were suitable, but the application was refused. Two other operators were warned for not forwarding applications for renewal, although both possessed acknowledgments of the applications.
In another case it was decided, after 'a long hearing, that the return fare for excursions to a certain football ground from points within the threemile radius should be Is. 3d., but a fare of ls. return was fixed for services from points within a radius of four to seven miles.
Numerous operators observed a Traffic Commissioner and a representative of the railway company arranging to go together to view certain applicants' picking-up points, states our in formant.
As a result of a definite invitation from the Commissioners in open court, an operator applied for additional picking-up points. After a lapse of several months, the applicant was given a hearing, but the application was re B40 fused without explanation of the reversal of the previous statement.
Our informant concluded by explaining how a further applicant spent a whole day in listening to discussions between the Commissioners and representatives of all sides concerning " many irrelevant matters." Finally his case was commenced, but was adjourned at about 5 p.m., and the applicant had to attend next day for two or three minutes, although he had to travel from a town outside that in which the hearing took place.