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All we want is fair play
Page 33
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YOUR editorial (CM, October 4) totally misrepresents the attitude of the Confederation of British Road Passenger Transport towards the Transport Act and changes in the road service licensing system.
The Confederation is in no way concerned with the commercial operations of its members. It is only concerned to see a healthy future for the passenger road transport industry in the service it gives to the travelling public. To use the old analogy, "the bigger the cake the bigger the shares for operators". Once the opportunity is provided it is up to the individual to compete within the system, whatever it is, to get the biggest slice of business he can for himself.
CPT has for many years urged the need to reform and streamline licensing: that is clearly on record. Our opposition to the Transport Act was based on the conviction that it would only involve competition for a minimal number of passengers but reduce total service (the cake) to a far greater extent. No development so far has changed this view.
If the Act does provide new opportunities the decision on how to take them is for the operators themselves, including those independents you named who were opposed to this particular legislation. Since it reached the Statute Book the message we have had for our members has been to look before they leap.
It is not good for them, nor for the industry as a whole, if the new situation leads to the introduction of new services seen quickly to wither and die. No one is against Freddie Laker — after all he has done a great job for Freddie Laker — but there is no doubt that the transAtlantic transport industry is in an unhealthy state, with damaging effects on related air networks, at least partly as a result of his entrepreneurial genius.
It is to be regretted that a leading transport publication should misrepresent the statements which have been made by the trade association for the passenger sector. This can only cause confusion and dissension among operators where it should be apparent from the foregoing that our policy (whether right or wrong) is aimed at the greater good. DENIS QUIN Director—general Confederation of British Road Passenger Transport London WC2