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Jones wins routes

22nd June 1985, Page 21
22nd June 1985
Page 21
Page 21, 22nd June 1985 — Jones wins routes
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

CLAYTON JONES Coach Tours has won authority to operate three stage carriage services in Pontypridd despite opposition from Mid Glamorgan County Council and the existing operator Taff Ely Borough Council.

Similar applications made by the company in 1983 had been withdrawn when Taff Ely made it abundantly clear that it was intent on using its full resources to compete with him_ Clayton Jones, a partner, told the South Wales Traffic Commissioners he was convinced that the lack of competition and innovation had resulted in the decline of public transport in Pontypridd.

His proposals would stem the tide. by increased efficiency, flat-fare collection, extending services into areas not previously covered by public transport, and by giving marketing a larger budget.

The proposed services would operate in areas defined as social and uneconomic routes by Taff Ely; areas which the council claimed would have no public transport without revenue support. However, Mr Jones was proposing to operate without subsidy and at a higher frequency, giving passengers a direct service.

Although it had been claimed that Mr Jones's past attempts to enter the stage carriage market had been made with the intention to "cream off" profitable operations, that could not be said to be the case on this occasion.

George Wilson, transport manager of TAT Ely, said that many of the proposed journeys would be unduly circuitous for passengers. They would need to know on which side of the road the next bus was due to arrive. And if the road was busy it could be difficult arid dangerous for passengers to cross.

In withdrawing identical applications in 1983 Mr Jones had said that he was still willing to operate the services, but only as the sole operator. If licences were now granted Mr Jones would not be the sole operator and he doubted whether the services would be maintained.

Darren Goodwin, an engineer in the county's transport department, said the proposals were against the public interest and conflicted with its public transport policy. There was very little demand for through journeys, according to a survey which showed that only four per cent of passengers used through routes. He denied that the county would not accept private operators who introduced innovations to attract customers.

Granting licences for two years Commissioners' Chair man Ronald Jackson said the 1981 Act did nor require them to refuse an application if it did not fit in with the county's transportation plan. Though they were satisfied the proposed services would abstract traffic from Taff Ely, they were not satisfied that these were against the public interest. Clayton Jones plans to use 20-seat Mercedes-Benz midibuses on the new services.


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