Bus Operators Lose 20-year Contract
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BECAUSE a bus operator has held a contract for 20 years there is no reason why the work should not go to someone else who puts in a lower tender, the Western Traffic Commissioners pointed out at Bristol last week.
Wilts and Dorset Motor Services, Ltd., had applied to run express services on contract to the Ministry of Supply beiween East Grinstead and Porton Camp, with intermediate picking-up points. They were opposed by Mr. E. H. G. Grant and Mr. A. W. Ted.
Mr. R. Crowther, for the objectors, asked if these two operators were suddenly to lose work they had done for 20 years merely because a lower tender had been submitted by Wilts and Dorset. He also objected on legal grounds, submitting that in any case the application could not be granted that day because the notice had not been sufficient.
Mr. 41. W. Mills, Wilts and Dorset's trallic manager, claimed that the application could not have been published earlier because there was not sufficient time, although it was put in the day after the tender was accepted. The reason for his company's lower quotation was that they had the drivers and vehicles available in the area. They were fully aware of the position when tendering.
Granting the application, Mr. S. W. Nelson, chairman, said the Commissioners could not accept the position that because a contract had been held by one concern for 20 years it should be continuously renewed.
HOPE FOR RING ROAD
CHESTER expects that a start will be made on the town's inner ring road early next year. It will he an expensive project, as the plans include a 250-yard viaduct motorway spanning the main railway line and the Shropshire Union Canal.