Wallace Arnold Linking Opposed : Chairman Criticizes Procedure
Page 31
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
STERN criticism was levelled at Wallace Arnold Tours, Ltd., by the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners, last week, when they asked permission to link their Great Yarmouth express services from the West Riding with those of J. W. Kitchen and Sons, Ltd. Part of the application was for an amendment to the total return vehicle allowance which would enable duplication when needed. The objectors agreed to this being heard, but Maj. F. S. Eastwood, chairman, pointed out that in future Wallace Arnold must adopt the proper procedure.
The Commissioners were tired of lastminute letters from the company asking for special concessions, he declared. . Objectors to .• the application—Which followed Kitchen's take-over by Wallace Arnold—were British Railwaysand United Automobile Services, Ltd.
• Mr. J. Evans, for Wallace Arnold, said their aim was to run a joint service frdm Bradford, picking . up at' Stanningley. Wakefield, and Castleford, from Whitsuntitle to the end of September on Fridays and Saturdays. If the aPplication were granted' the 'Kitchen licence from Bradford, and that Of Wallace Arnold from Castleford,. to Gt.. Yarmouth,would be sUrrendered.-'
Linking.Advantages
Mr. J. 7 :Maicoini Barr; assistant managing director of Wallace Arnold said therewOuld. be --adrriiniStratiVe advantages in the" linkitig, such' is" one booking chart ,and control, and 'uniform timetables which would allow the opera ionof a, loaded .Vehicle in-stead of two
part loaded.'
As Wallace Artuild Were at present licensed for Only the high 'sen,: More vehicles would be able to pick up at Wakefield and Ca.stleford from Whitsun until the end ofJune and during September, and for this it was proposed to call evidence of need.. .
Although there would also be more vehicles picking up at Bradford and Stanningley the only practical effect would be that some additional seats would be available. They anticipated fully loaded coaches from each point with only the last vehicle picking up all round.
150 Vehicles Sought,
During questioning by Mr. G. P. Crowe, for • BritishRailways, Mr, Bair said they were applying for an overall vehicle allowance of 150. The aggregate of the two licences, and the balance between road and rail would not be altered.
He agreed that Kitchen's schedule showed that they had not operated to capacity in 1958; except during the two peak holiday weeks, but pointed out that an operator must have flexibility with his vehicle allowance. They would not be satisfied to leave the question of vehicles to the Commissioners. If the application were granted with reduced vehicles it would, not be taken up.
Mr. Crowe submitted that if the application . were granted as sought, Wallace Arnold could increase their traffic by one third without asking for additional vehicles and the period of the present Wallace Arnold operation would be doubled.
Mr. W. Hargrave, for U.A.S., said Wallace Arnold sought to aggregate their Whole return vehicle allowance on evidence of difficulties during only two weeks of the season. The whole application far transcended the need and would allow them to switch vehicles. Competition with other operators' would thus he far greater.
A LICENCES GRANTED FOR MILK HAULAGE
A.. HAULAGEcompany who have increased their contract A-licence vehicles from 89 to 259 in the past eight' ,years were .last Week aBOWeci..to transfer 17 short-term B-licence vehicles to A licence. They were Bulwark Transport, Ltd., Chippenham, Wilts; who secured the withdrawal of all ,objectors' when they appeared at Bristol before the Western Licensing AuthoritY,_ Mr .'S. W.. Nelson, On their behalf, Mr. T.-13.-Corile said they' wanted a 'ncirrrial uSer covering Milk and Milk products for the Milk Marketing Board over any distance. The B licences were issued last year for milk transport, but since then production had declined, so in order to keep the vehicles occupied permanently it was necessary to travel longer distances.
The Board had advised Bulwark that what had once been a temporary need was now permanent, and journeys as far as London were envisaged.
Granting the licence, Mr. Nelson said a need for milk transport. had been established, and there was customer evidence that at present the vehicles were fully occupied.
NO RISE IN RATES
AFTER examining variations in costs over the past two years which had reSulted in a net increase in them, the rates committee of the Road Haulage Association decided on Tuesday not to propose a rise in general haulage rates.