Hauliers Treated Scandalously
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THE haulier had been scandalously
treated by the Government and the passenger-vehicle operators did not know where the axe of nationalizationwould fall next. This warning was given by Lord Long of Wraxall, a member of the Conservative transport committee in the House of Lords, at the annual dinner of the West Midland Area of the Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association, last week.
Mr. J. M. Birch, national chairman of the P.V.O.A., said that area schemes must be stopped. The Association had done fine work in the past three years and it was greatly reassuring that the British Electric Traction group stood shoulder to shoulder with the P.V.O.A. in its opposition to nationalization. Nearly 80 per cent, of independent operators in the country were represented by the Association.
Mr. Birch condemned the actions of the B.T.C. on the haulage side as unscrupulous. When facing criticisms and complaints the Commission took refuge behind "the intentions of the Act." An attempt would be made to apply this technique to road passenger services. Operators must remain united against the common enemy.
FREE BUS TRAVEL PLAN
PASSENGER transport which would draw its revenue from some local body, or perhaps a series of local bodies, and on which travellers would not pay individual fares, was visualized by Mr. C. J. Parker, addressing the February meeting of the Institute of Traffic Administration's Manchester centre.
No conductor would be required. There would be an increase in travel, but Mr. Parker believed that the initial heavy demand would disappear. although he agreed that there would still be rather more travel than there is now.
Conn. A. Logan said it was completely impossible to have free" travel. The present rates would go up alarmingly, and if charges were put on national taxation, the public would be paying a much more inflated figure on income tax. Free travel applicable to local undertakings must of necessity be extended to every other form of travel.
Increases in travelling would necessitate a greater number of vehicles, with a larger number of people to produce 112 them and an increased number of people on the administration side. Costs would be a burden which would defeat the very object f the proposal.
ADVERTISEMENTS ON TICKETS
A TRIAL scheme in which advertisements will be printed on the backs of ticket rolls is to be arranged by Coventry Transport Department in conjunction with the TIM. Co., Ltd. This company has offered a rebate of 10s. for every 1.000 rolls used. The department uses about 1,000 rolls a day.
DUNDEE TO CUT SERVICES?
REDUCTIONS in the frequency of off-peak bus services have been approved by Dundee Town Council as a means for curtailing expenses.
The revised schedule, yet to be approved by the Licensing Authority. will save £242 in wages and £132 in tyres and fuel each week. Mileage run will be cut by 7 per cent.
, Since the fares were last raised, the latest wages increase has thrown an additional burden of £22,500 a year on the bus undertaking. Convener G. W. Davidson said that the Authority would view further proposals to raise fares seriously, and suggestions to cut costs were welcome.
HAULIERS WARNED'
AWARNING to hauliers about infringing the 1933 and 1947 Acts was given last week by the Scottish Licensing Authority. He was considering the case of a Winchburgh operator who ran six miles outside the 25-mile limit without a permit.
The Authority decided only to give a warning, which, he said, should be understood by other operators.
ANNIS CASE POSTPONED
HEARTNG of the Annis appeal. which was to have been continued this week, has been postponed until next week, It will be resumed on February 26 and will continue on February 27, March 1 and March 2 at 10.30 a.m. at Halifax House, Strand, London, W.6.2.
MEASHAM SPRING SALE
THE annual spring sale of the Measham Motor Sales Organization. Measham. Burton-on-Trent, will be held on March 13. This event coincides with the special sale of passenger vehicles and delivery vans. A wide range of other goods vehicles will also be available..