Appeal Against Forced Higher Fares
Page 36
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AWOKINGHAM coach companylast week appealed against a decision of
the South Eastern Traffic Commissioners forcing them to make substantial increases in fares. The company. Brimblccombe Bros., Ltd., who were supported by Wokingham Borough Council, stated they. could see no justifiable reason for the increases.
Mr. Geraint Rees said the company originally applied for a small increase in fares on excursions and tours, but an objection by a larger company, Smiths Luxury Coaches (Reading), Ltd., was upheld, and slightly higher fares were fixed.
In February this year. Smiths applied for a 121 per cent, increase in their fares. "But Brimblecombe Bros. had learned by bitter experience, and objected," said Mr. Rees.
They knew that because of the principles on which the Commissioners seemed to be acting, their fares would also be increased. Their objection was that so far as they were concerned there was nothing which would justify an advance in their own fares.
However. Smiths' application was granted and Brimblecombe Bros. were ordered to bring their fares into line. They lost the protective differential which had existed for six years, whilst the public had to face increases which the company did not feel were justified Since the end of the last season the 7s. fare to Portsmouth had increased by 3s.; to Brighton, Worthing and Littlehampton (7s. 6d.) by 4s. 6d., and to Bognor (7s. 6d.) by 3s. 3d.
Mr. Rees said the Commissioners had imposed "punitive increases" on the company, although there was no change of circumstances to warrant them, whilst comparable firms had been left alone
DRIVERSCOMPLAINED
WHEN the Union International Co., W Ltd., 14 West Smithfield, -London, E.C.1, were at Taunton last week fined i10 on each of seven charges of permitting drivers to work excessive hours, the drivers concerned were stated to have complained about the long hours they had been working. The company paid £10 10s. advocate's fee and 12s. witnesses' expenses. The drivers were given an absolute discharge for driving excessive hours, but were ordered to pay costs.
"ALLOW RETREADERS PETROL"
STRESSING that rubber can be conserved by the use of retreaded tyres, the Retread Manufacturers' Association have asked the Minister of Transport to allow members as much petrol as possible.
Worn tyres are the basic material for retread factories, and any failure to maintain supplies would result in redundancy and unemployment. Many members have contracts with the Ministry of Supply and the nationalized industHes.