Operating Aspects of
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PASSENGER TRANSPORT
"SECTIONAL DUPLICATION MAY BE CONVENIENT AND DESIRABLE" Minister's Ruling on Appeals by Three Companies Concerning London-Blackpool Route
MICE Minister of Transport has del. cided to permit sectional duplication on the London-Blackpool route, via Birmingham. This decision has been reached on appeals by W. C. Stander-wick, Ltd., J. Bracewell, Ltd., and Scout Motor Services, Ltd., against the condition imposed by the West Midland Traffic Commissioners that only a vehicle on a through journey from Blackpool to London, or vice-versa, should be used to pick up and set down passengers in their area.
Similar appeals by Wood Brothers (Blackpool), Ltd., were withdrawn at the inquiry into these appeals.
Since their applications were before the Commissioners, the shares in the appellant undertakings have, it is understood, been purchased by Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., North Western Road Car Co., Ltd., and the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd. The appellants contended that sectional duplication had been practised since the inception of their services, without objection from local operators, that its prohibition makes waste and inconvenience, and that sectional duplication is necessary to meet traffic needs. It appears that, although the bulk of the traffic on this service is through traffic, a substantial number of intermediate journeys is made from West Midland towns, especially Birmingham, to the North, and the Minister considers that some measure of duplication is justified on this section.
It might be argued that any special measure of duplication justifiable on this section could be effected by increas
ing the number of journeys, or the degree-of duplication authorized in connection with the Birmingham-Blackpool services of the Standerwick and Bracewell undertakings. The conditions relating to these two services were, however, not before the Minister.
On appeal, he has decided to order the Commissioners to vary the conditions, so that one vehicle may be used in each direction on any day to convey passengers picked up or to be set down in the West Midland area, in addition to through vehicles. This decision is not to be held as prejudicing the free consideration, by the Commissioners, of the whole question at a later date.
The Minister's decision must not be taken as indicating his acceptance of a general principle that sectional duplication should be allowed as a matter of course, but he considers that, in certain circumstances, it may be both convenient and desirable.