Expense No Objection
Page 40
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'LOCAL authorities continue to urge bus companies either to build stations or to use premises erected by the councils. Expense appears to be no objection. They turn a blind eye to the steady loss of traffic suffered by bus companies, partly as a result of increases in fares brought about by rising costs. They are oblivious of the inability of operators to undertake unnecessary heavy capital works or to absorb departure fees for the use of municipal stations. • In any event, they seek to escape the odium of collecting the dues from passengers. That unpleasant task is passed to the bus operator, who has to adjust his fares accordingly. Local authorities would be more honest if they adopted the recent suggestion of Mr. T. Robert Williams, chairman of the Aldershot and District Traction Co., Ltd., and themselves levied a toll on each passenger in a bus. Councillors who introduced such a practice might, however, endanger their seats at the next municipal election. They have the public annoyance caused by the levy of 7s. 6d. on each air passenger departing from London Airport to discourage them from a policy of commercial frankness.
Buses do the greatest good to the greatest number and should not be excluded from shopping centres. If they were removed their places at the kerb would promptly be taken by private cars, thus destroying an amenity for the many for the benefit of the few.
Bus stations are justifiable only where they provide a facility of value to the passenger which he cannot obtain in any other way. Operators are better equipped than local authorities to know the needs of their customers. and should be consulted before any scheme for the construction of a bus station is prepared.