Adequate Services to Norfolk Broads
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A WITNESS travelled from Norwich 4-1to Leeds, last week, to refute allegations that there were unsatisfactory stage-carriage services in East Anglia. Mr. D. H. Briggs, traffic superintendent at Norwich for the Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., was called by Shellfield United Tours, Ltd., when they opposed an express-licence application before the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners.
Mr. George Hobson, Sheffield, who wanted to run a new summer service on Saturdays from Sheffield to the Norfolk Broads, had claimed that poor stage services from Great Yarmouth created difficulties for passengers travelling by existing facilities (The Commercial Motor, November 15.)
Mr. Briggs replied that Norwich, not Great Yarmouth, was the focal point for people going to the villages Mr. Hobson wanted to serve. S.U.T. coaches from Sheffield to Great Yarmouth set pas sengers down just outside Norwich bus station, where there were the necessary connections, Eastern Counties viewed with grave concern any application that would abstract stage traffic in a holiday area, as 74 per cent, of their services, and 54 per cent. of the company's total mileage, were already unremunerative.
Mr. W. R. Hargrave, for S.U.T., said Mr. Hobson planned to buy a second coach if the application were granted. He was now a private-party operator, and using an additional vehicle on Saturdays only might prompt him to obtain work at any price just to keep going.
Mr. T. C. Eagle, for Mr. Hobson, claimed that there was a need at holiday times for through reserved bookings. Existing services could not meet these requirements.
Refusing the application, Maj. F. S. Eastwood, chairman, said he was satisfied existing services were adequate.