Small-time advantages — by Traffic Commissioners
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SMALL local coach operators were often able to provide a type of facility required by the public in a particular area which larger operators could not provide. They had the advantage of being "closer to the ground."
This was said by the chairman of the East Midland Traffic Commissioners, Mr C. M. Sheridan, when they granted in part an application by J. J. Cowlishaw, trading as J. Tours of Alfreton, to operate excursions to London and reserved their decision on proposals for the company to operate Continental tours.
Mr Cowlishaw applied for two licences at Nottingham on April 13, originating from Alfreton and picking up at Somercotes, Pye Bridge and SeIston. The first concerned operational day-excursions to London throughout the year and the second the operation of eight-day tours to Blankenberg and Noordwijk, a JO-day tour to Rhens, West Germany, and 13-day tour to Vienna between April and October. The applications were opposed by National Travel, Trent Motor Traction Co Ltd and Yelloway Motor Services Ltd.
For the applicant Mr J. R. Seeley-Whitby said Mr Cowlishaw had been operating to London and the Continent on a private party basis for a number of years. He had found that there were often parties who wished to travel who had insufficient numbers to justify the hire of a coach. Mr Cowlishaw said he was continually being asked to provide tours and excursions for the general public. The present National service to London gave insufficient time in the capital for people who wished to go to the theatre before returning home.
Mr P. D. Green, development and licensing officer of National Travel (North East) Ltd, said there were good stage carriage connecting facilities between Alfreton, Selston and Sutton-in-Ashfield where National offered a day-return facility to London on its extra services.
A programme on Continental tours was offered direct from Alfreton including tours to Blank enb er g, Noordwijk, Amsterdam and the Vine Valley. National was able only to offer a wide programme of tours because of the size of its catchment area.
Mr M. W. Herod, licensing officer of Trent, said his corn. pany offered a wide range of excursions to London from Alfreton. They were prepared to consider operating excursions with a later return than at present to cater for theatregoers.
After hearing evidence from 10 public witnesses the Commissioners granted the applicant a London excursion from Alfreton only, with a vehicle allowance restricted to one per day. They said this would give the public a faster, service.