Tour Sliding Fare Scale Granted
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THE grant of sliding-scale inclusive fares for excursions is extremely 1 dangerous to express-service operators. This was claimed by Mr. Hubert Allen, general manager of Yelloway Motor Services, Ltd., when hc opposed applications by Batty-Holt Touring Services, Ltd., before the North Western Traffic Commissioners, last week.
Batty-Holt were seeking variations of excursion and tour licences from Bolton, Nelson, Manchester, Liverpool and Fleetwood. Other objectors were J. Smith and Co_ (Wigan), Ltd., W. Robinson and Sims (Great Harwood), Ltd.: Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., Scout Motor Services, Ltd., companies comprising Associated Motorways, W. C. Standerwick, Ltd., Lancashire United Transport, Ltd., North Western Road Car Co.. Ltd., Western S.M.T. Co.. Ltd., and British Railways.
Mr. Allen said the road fare profit element had been replaced by that of the inclusive fare. On a Batty-Holt Devon and Cornwall tour, the .road fare had decreased from 47 per cent. of the inclusive cost in 1938 to 22 per cent. in 1957. Express operators relied for protection on increases of ihclusive fares.
Mr. H. Backhouse, for the applicants, said they wanted to compete with socalled private-party operation in the early and late season. This was why they had nut inclusive fares in price brackets, and had asked for extended operations from Easter to November. They also wanted an additional vehicle during the summer season to break new ground with noncompetitive tours and to allow for excess traffic. Their feeder services into Bolton were limited, which meant a vast increase in administrative work.
Mr. A. Bolton, a director of the company, said fuel costs had been halved in the past 10 years by changing petrol engines for oilers. Larger coaches and a longer season had also helped to maintain a satisfactory pence-per-mile return, with only slight increases.
For Ribble and their associated companies, Mr. F. D. Walker said they objected to the sliding scale because it would give the company discretion to reduce fares: Control of the lower level
of inclusive charges,was vitally necessary to prevent uneconomic opposition.
The same thing could be said concern; ing the extension of fantail tour operation. Short-term licences had worked well for specific parties, and the licensing system must not be destroyed by loss of control. On behalf of the independent operators. it was claimed that derestricting the feeder services would cause them serious loss of traffic, particularly in the Liverpool area.
Replying, Mr. Backhouse said both Smith's and Robinson's had been granted sliding-scale inclusive charges. Batty-Holt would be seriously affected if they were treated differently.
The Commissioners granted the sliding scale, with existing fares as the minimum. Decision on a new minimum was reserve. The company were also allowed to vary the routes of several tours and add a tour to Scotland and the Highlands. Extension of the period for all tours was granted, with the exception of five fantail tours. The feeder-service requests were allowed, excluding Liverpool. but an extra vehicle during the summer season was refused.
HOURS AND RECORDS: NEW ENFORCEMENT DRIVE
ADRIVE against the working of excessive hours and the incorrect keeping of records is likely to begin soon. Mr. Harold Watkinson. Minister of Transport, said last week that he was trying to recruit more examiners so that enforcement of the law on drivers' hours and records could be tightened up. He hoped to expand the staff of examiners from 857 to 911.
" When we get over the bulge in the driving tests, which I hope we shall be able to do very soon, a very much larger proportion of examiners will be used on enforcement," he said.