Condition of Buses Appalled Chairman
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THREE licences held by an 87-yearold bus proprietor were withdrawn for one month by the South Wales Traffic Commissioners at Newport, Mon., last week after the chairman, Mr. R. Jackson, had said he was appalled at the condition of the firm's vehicles.
The proprietor was Mr. E. Peake, of Wesley Garage, Pontypool.
Mr. Jackson said: " We are appalled at the evidence we have heard concerning the condition of the vehicles operated by the firm. We consider we would be failing in our duty if we did not take action to revoke public service vehicle • licences. But we are loath to put a firm out of business completely. We intend to try to temper justice with mercy and impose a token suspension of three vehicles for one month."
A 100-per cent. inspection would have to be carried out after three months, and again in six months, and unless there was a marked, progressive improvement the firm would have to appear before the Traffic Commissioners again.
Mr. J. R. Allan, for the Ministry of Transport, said that since January, 1960, 22 prohibition notices and 30 defect reports were issued to the firm, involving more than 700 defects.
Mr. S. Camfield, senior traffic examiner. said there had been complaints of bad timekeeping, dirty buses and too many standing passengers. .
Mr. C. S. Peake, son of the proprietor, said the firm was established 72..years ago and his father had now agreed to transfer the business to his two sons. The firm had spent £14.600 on vehicles last year and in January this year carried 165,000 passengers.
MORE WAGE APPLICATIONS I N conjunction with other interested trade unions, the National Union of Vehicle Builders is to make an application for a substantial all-round increase in wages for its members, it was revealed early this week.