Three Bus Operators Seek Pit Traffic
Page 38
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CLA1MS that Lancashire United Transport, Ltd., Had let down Wigan miners by not providing adequate pit services were made at Manchester, last week, when the North Western Traffic Commissioners heard an application by Willow Coaches, Ltd. They wanted to run between Wigan and collieries at Walkden and Pendlebury. L.U.T. and Salford Corporation made similar applications.
Mr. T. Booth, for Willow, said they were granted a short-term licence in January and since then L.U.T. and the corporation had put forward their own proposals. The National Coal Board were subsidizing Willow's service by paying the excess on any fares over 5s. and guaranteeing the company £4 3s. 6d. per vehicle per return journey.
For L.U.T., Mr. 1-1, Backhouse submitted that '" The
• Commercial Motor' -Tables of Operat
ing Costs" proved that Willow were operating uneconomically. This was denied, however, by a Willow director. Mr. T. Stokes.
Mr. W. Stephenson, an N.C.R. industrial relations officer, said that in the past miners had found difficulty in getting to work in time to start their shifts. When they were late they lost money, and this resulted in bad feeling. In winter, L.U.T. had Jet down the miners by sometimes 'sending no buses at all, and at other times not providing duplicates when vehicles were full. He felt sure Willow could provide a better service.
Mr. Backhouse pointed out that L.U.T. had carried miners for 30 years, but even with their experience they could not provide buses in thick snow or fog. NO evidence had been produced to support Mr. Stephenson's allegations, and he believed they were untrue.
Mr. F. Williamson, chairman, adjourned the case and said when it was continued he would require evidence to support the claims about L.U.T.'s shortcomings.
CEYLON BUS OPERATORS COMPENSATION CUT
ADRASTIC reduction has been made by the Ceylon Government in the amount of compensation to be paid to the 75 bus companies who, were nationalized last year. A total of £2,872,500 had been assessed as payable compensation, but now this has been cut by £1,702,500.
The largest slice is a result of the operators' income and profits tax arrears, which total £1,200,000. In fact-, -it is doubtful if the operators will now get more than £533,000 between them for the premises and 3,500 vehicles which. were taken over.
CHAIRMAN FOR 20 YEARS
A FTER 20 years Mr. J. R. F. Bradford :A has retired from the chairmanship of the Devon and Cornwall Area of the Road Haulage Association, and he is succeeded by Mr. C. S. L. Burleigh (Glover and Uglow, Ltd.). The vice-chairmen arc Mr. W. E. 131atehford (Blatchfords [Packers and Removers], Ltd.), Mr. D. 0. Good (Pioneer Haulage, Ltd.) and Mr. W. J. Duckham.