Railway Objections Unfair
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AT two sittings, last week. the Traffic Commissioners rebuked the railway companies for objecting to applications by coach companies. The West Midland Commissioners dealt with a number of applications for increased facilities in connection with tours and excursions.
When the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co. objected to an application by Cooke, Robinson and Co., Ltd., Burslem, Col. A. S. Redman, chairman of the Commissioners, remarked that it was unfair of the railway company, which could run as many trains as, and charge what fares, it liked, to make representations relating to these excursions and tours, when the Commissioners bad given patient consideration to the company's objections concerning fares.
In the next application of Brown's Motor Co. .(Tunstall), Ltd., the points previously raised were pursued at still greater length. For the Brown concern it was stated that, during the August Wakes holiday, this year, he company was unable to cater for all the available traffic to Blackpool, and it was believed that the coach operators in the district were booked up 14 days in advance. The company in question was booked up three weeks ahead, whilst the
Coach fare to Blackpool was higher than the corresponding fare charged by the railways.
Referring to the overcrowding of trains, Col. Redman said that, if there were overcrowding on road services operators -could be prosecuted. When a railway representative anticipated an increase in traffic next summer, Col. Redman asked : "Should all that extra prosperity fall to the railways and not to the road operators?" The Commissioners permitted the operation of an extra vehicle for ordinary tours, but refused an application for additional• period excursions.
A similar check was given to the London and North-Eastern Railway Co. by Mr. J. H. Stirk, chairman of the East Midland Traffic Commissioners. Barton Transport, Ltd., sought permission to introduce special facilities for travel from Nottingham to Skegness during Christmastide.
In connection with an objection by the L.N.E.R., Mr. Stirk stated that the traffic was new to both road and rail and asked: "Why should not the road operators have a share of it?" The Commissioners granted the application of Barton Transport, Ltd., with restrictions, affording the railway company some measure of protection.