Decline in Day Trips Reported
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ASTEADY decline in the demand for day trips was mentioned by Mr. J. Malcolm Barr, assistant managing "director of Wallace Arnold Tours. Ltd., when the company applied at Leeds, last week, for 35 more excursions-22 from Bradford and 13 from Leeds. Mr. Barr told The Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners that the public were now favouring halfday excursions, which was not a trend welcomed by operators. However, it was one that had to be faced.
The applications were opposed by Rogers Motor Coaches; Kitchin and Sons, Ltd.; and British Railways. After hearing several supporting witnesses, the Commissioners adjourned the hearing until July 31.
For Wallace Arnold, Mr. Barr said they were seeking a wider variety of tours to develop their own traffic. They were anxious not to abstract from their competitors, and none of the road objectors was licensed for the same excursions as those applied for. Both S. Ledgard (Bradford), Ltd., and the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., had withdrawn objections after some proposals had been deleted.
Mr. John Evans, for Rogers and Kitchin, suggested that Wallace Arnold were seeking a monopoly of excursions from Leeds and Bradford. They had c 10 designed their application with the knowledge that if it were successful they would be able to object to any extension by other operators, he said. The Lake District and the Dales — Northern England's two great excursion areas— would be sealed off if a grant were made.
He pointed out that the company already had 240 destinations on their Bradford licence and 302 from Leeds. Since the application was made in April, pamphlets had been issued to the public selling the excursions in order to obtain supporting witnesses. By offering a little bit more, Wallace Arnold could gain an advantage over their competitors.
In reply, Mr. Barr said excursion operators had to create their -own demand, and must rely on desirability, together with the support of the public for what was offered. Kitchin were not licensed for the Lake District, so the two operators could not clash.
MUNICIPAL TRAFFIC DOWN 2% ADECREASE of about 2 per cent, in traffic was recorded by West Bridgford Urban District Council's transport undertaking in the year ended March 31 last. Although income rose by £3,190, expenditure increased by £4,669, and there was a deficit on the year of £3,050, to be met from the general rate fund.