Thames Valley Cannot Stand Further Loss
Page 71
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THE Thames .• Valley Traction Co., Ltd., could not afford to lose any more traffic, otherwise unremunerative meat services woOld have to be cut or withdrawn. The 'South Eastern Traffic Commissionerswere told this at Reading last week. . by Mr. Frank Beetham, asiiStant 'traffic ,manager.
Thames „Valley-were among objectors to, a. resumed application by Pangbourne Coaches, Ltd.,, for 55 neW excursion and tours licences ,(The Commercial Motor, May 20)., Other objectors were: Smith's Luxury'Coaches (Reading), Ltd.; Southdawn Motor Services, Ltd.; Reliance Motor Services (Newbury), Ltd.; Aldershot and District Traction Co., Ltd.; and British Railways. At the. previous hearing, Mk C. R. Beddington, for the applicants, said that the objec,t of the application was to provide facilities for visits to the coast, race meetings and London by the residents of Pangbourne and adjacent villages.
Last week, Mr._ Frank Masser. traffic manager of Smith's, said that his company operated 'express services to a number of coastal resorts, and some 120 excursions and tours: They started from Reading, and carried people from Pangbourne. On Sundays and Bank Holidays, when there were no Thames Valley stage services from Pangbourne, his company operated a feeder service to take people into Reading.
A similar claim was made by Mr. Beetharn, who said that, faced with increasing -costs, the problems of the large companies were becoming increasingly difficult.
Mr. John Turner, representing the railways, objected to the proposed London tour and pointed out that there were railway excursion facilities.
Referring to the proposal to run excursions to the Farnborough air show, Mr. Arthur Evans, traffic manager, Aldershot and District, said that his company, in conjunction with Thames Valley,, ran services between Reading and Aldershot which stopped at the entrance to the display.
Opposing the proposed excursions to Hayling Island, Mr. Gerald Duckworth, general manager, Southdown Motor Services, said that his company had an arrangement with Smith's, whose coaches ran straight throu4 to the island. Announcing the refusal -of the application, Mr. H. J. Thom, chairman, said that the Commissioners were satisfied that present facilities were adequate.