Operating Against Odds
Page 31
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' TO face legitimate competition from private transport is one thing; to 'ace it from the illegal use of minibuses Ind other small vehicles for the carriage )f passengers without an appropriate licence is another," said Mr. R. J. Ellery, thairman of East Midland Motor Services, Ltd., at the annual general meeting last week. He welcomed the efforts of rraffic Commissioners to remove this threat to the operator.
Other difficulties the company had had to face in the past year included a half million drop in passengers, attributed to the cheerless summer and the increase of private transport, an increased wages bill which could be met only by higher fares, and the impact of fuel tax.
Mr. Ellery welcomed the suggested removal of the 30-ft, limit on public service vehicles, because longer singledeckers would meet the requirements of many of the company's routes which presented low bridge problems. In conjunction with one-man operation, economic services could be provided. However, a speedy decision was required because rolling stock replacements being considered today would remain in service until 1974 or thereabouts.