Operating Aspects of
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PASSENGER TRANSPORT
BIG YORKSHIRE CO-ORDINATION SCHEME: APPEALS FAIL
"Not Necessary and Not Sufficient Regard for Other Interests" THE Minister of Transport has announced his decision on a group of 1.00 appeals concerning the big coordination scheme under which it was hoped to save 100,000 vehicle-miles per annum on services run by eight companies from Yorkshire to Blackpool or Fleetwood.
The appellants were the West Yorkshire Car Co., Ltd., Yorkshire Traction Co., Ltd., Hebble Motor Services, Ltd., Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., Yorkshire (W.D.) Electric Tramways, Ltd.. Wood Bros. (Blackpool), Ltd., Walker, Taylor and Sons, Ltd.. and W. Armitage and Sons, Ltd.
They appealed against the action of the Yorkshire and North-Western Traffic Commissioners (a) in refusing licences and backings for joint services, with modifications, and (b) against conditions attached to the licences of the first five companies for the continuation of existing services.
Regarding group (a), Sir Henry Wynne, the inspector who heard the appeals, was not satisfied that . it would be fair to all the parties concerned for the issue to be decided on the amended co-ordination scheme put forward at the inquiry ; nor was he assured that the scheme, even as amended, was necessary or had sufficient. regard for other interests.
The Commissioners contemplate that a review of the services, as a whole, from Yorkshire to Blackpool, is necessary, and Sir Henry Wynne considered that it would not be fair to grant facili
ties to some operators which might prejudice the review of the whole position. The Minister accordingly makes no Order on the Commissioners.
Concerning group (b), the Minister agrees that, pending a review of the whole question, there should be as little change as possible, and he hopes that the Commissioners will make an early survey. .
He considers that, in general, the Commissioners have not deprived the appellants of existing facilities, except in the .case ot the North Western Commissioners' refusal to allow through bookings on four services operated by the Ribble and West Yorkshire concerns. Through bookings at less than summated fares, which were previously allowed, are to be restored, but without prejudice to reconsideration of the whole position.