Wasteful Competition Must be Avoided
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STAGE services between Bibury and Cirencester, Gas, sought last week by Snowdonia Coaches, Bibury, were refused by the Western Traffic Commissioners. Snowdonia wanted to cover Quenington and Coln St. Aldwyns on the routes.
They were opposed by two oldestablished operators, Mr. F. J. R. Harvey and Mr. R. S. Merchant. For the objectors, Mr. T. D. Corpe stressed the difficulties that beset bus operators in sparsely populated areas of the Cotswolds.
Mr. S. W. Nelson, chairman, said wasteful competition had to be avoided. Snowdonia wanted to give a better bus service on Saturday nights to certain housing estates, but there was not enough work for three operators. If the application were granted, same people might be saved a walk of a mile to the nearest bus stop, but if Mr. Harvey's business collapsed some other people would be faced with a five-mile walk.
On Mr. Nelson's suggestion, Mr. Harvey agreed to apply for licences to operate the additional services sought by Snowdonia.
Continuing, Mr. Nelson said Mr. Merchant was also serving a sparsely populated area, but he had bought new vehicles and had others on order. He had also sunk 110,000 into the building of a new depot. His objection was perfectly understandable.