Coach Operators Wanted to Combine Excursion Licences—Mr. Williamson
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THE case of R. R. Low (Luxury Coaches). Ltd.. Hoylake, was adjourned by the North Western Traffic Commissioners at Liverpool on Tuesday. because there was a complete lack of evidence, both in the form of figures and from the public.
The applicants wanted to run new afternoon and evening excursions and tours from Alderley Road South, Hoylake, to Blackpool. Additional picking-up points were to be at Moreton, Meols, West Kirby, Grange, Greasby and Upton. The tours were to be operated during the period of the Blackpool Illuminations, and the return fare from all points was to be 10s. 6d.
Mr. Somerset Jones, for the applicants, stated that they already possessed two excursion and tour licences and had been running to Blackpool for many years. It had been the practice in the past for the Merseyside operators to take their passengers to the Blackpool setting-down point. There the coach was taken over by a Blackpool operator and driven round the Illuminations under his licence.
It was really sub-contracting to the Blackpool operators and the arrangement had suited both parties. However. in the future, it had been decided that passengers would be set down in Blackpool, where they would walk to the picking-up point of a local operator, board the coach once more and then be taken round the Illuminations.
Mr_ Somerset Jones continued: "The Blackpool traffic will not be increased, as Messrs. Low do not intend to Obtain any extra vehicles.
Mr. R. R. Low, managing director, cross-examined by Mr. B. Webb, objecting for Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., pointed out that in the past he had run four coaches to Blackpool and there had been few vacant seats. Mr. Webb said that often the vehicles which Crosville also operated to Blackpool were not full. As there were no figures to give details of Low's past operations, the statements made were based only on surmise.
At this point the chairman. Mr. F. Williamson, contended that in an application of this type. some evidence of need must be produced. It was strange that some of the Blackpool operators had not objected and after Mr. Low's evidence it was clear that he intended to combine his licences.
This had not been made clear in the published application. Mr. Williamson adjourned the case until the application could be re-phrased and more evidence produced.
SOMETHING IN THE AIR
PROTOTYPES of freight carriers for I payloads up to 7.500 lb. and multiseat passenger carriers working on the air-cushion principle used by SaundersRoe for their Hovercraft are under development by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation, New Jersey, U.S.A..
Curtiss-Wright have already produced a 300 h.p. vehicle for demonstration purposes and state that this model, which seats three or four passengers, will be in production in November. It travels at a height of 6-12 in. from ground level at speeds up to 60 m.p.h. and altitudes up to 7,000 ft. For this vehicle, and for the larger prototypes, a ducted fan is fitted at each end of the craft. All the models are of fairly conventional configuration, apart from this provision.
It is stated that " roads" for the vehicles could be provided in undeveloped areas at a cost below £200 per mile.