PROVINCIAL JI TNEYISM : CREWE'S BUS COMPETITION.
Page 14
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
JITNEYLSM has sprung up at Crewe„ and as a result of the situationwhich arose there, the Crosville Motor Omnibus Co., of Chester, appealed to the Ministry of Transport, and an inquiry has just been held.
The company pointed out that when they applied to the Crewe Corporation for 23 licences, only 19 were granted the remaining four licences were needed in order to maintain an efficient bus service in the borough. They were the firstcompany to inaugurate a regular service in Crewe.
Local competitors baol been granted • licences, and in order to protect their legitimate traffic, the Crosviille Co. had found it necessaryto follow these independent buses, with obvious results.
The Crewe Corporation, on account of this 'competition, drew up certain regulations, which the appellants complied with until they found that their competitors were ignoring them. The corporation then reduced the number of their buses.
To maintain their services, the Drosville Co. used unlicensed buses, and the corporation then threatened proceedings against them, but they were-never taken. It was suggested that the corporation had shown a local conapetitor of the Crosville Co. a certain amount of favour, because he was a ratepayer.
The Town Clerk of Crewe said the corporation objected to the foolish chasing of rival buses, the unnecessary wear of the roads and Undue interference with the ordinary traffic of the town. The corporation were of opinion that the number of licences granted was sufficient to maintain the service. The charge of favouritism was denied.
The result of the inquiry will be announced in due course.