Equal Terms Wanted by Coach Operator
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THE" unfairness" of a law that permits industrial concerns to usc vehicles built for public service purposes to carry their employees to and from work at more favourable terms than operators plying for hire and reward, is being strenuously fought by Mr. A. E. Marsh, managing director of Black and White Garages (Harvington), Ltd., Harvington, near Evesham.
Mr. Marsh, who told The Commercial Motor on Tuesday that he had lost six works contracts in the past six months because the parties concerned had decided to operate their own vehicles, has complained to the West Midland Licensing Authority and his Member of Parliament, Sir Rupert De La Bere.
Mr. Marsh told Sir Rupert that these ancillary operators "can buy any old second-hand bus and licence it for f12 10s., put it on the road and use it immediately, although, to all intents and purposes, it is going to carry members of the general public to work." "Our submission is," went on Mr. Marsh, "that while legislation probably cannot be introduced to prevent such people and firms from buying secondhand coaches and buses, legislation should most certainly he introduced to make such people and firms comply with all stringent Road Traffic Act and legislation relating to the fitness and operation of the vehicles such as the established operator has to abide by."
Sir Rupert, who took up the matter with the Minister of Transport, had a long reply from the Ministry's Joint Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Hugh Molson. Mr. Molson said he did not think there would be much .value in reopening the subject after the whole question of licensing road passenger services had so recently been investigated by the Thesiger Committee.
Mr. Marsh estimated that some 25 works contracts had, in recent months, been lost by operators in the West Midlands.
"KEEP B.R.S. NETWORK"
AFIRST-CLASS network of services throughout the country had been built up by British Road Services, and large bodies of traders had intimated the desirability of retaining it, whether under public or private ownership.
This was stated last Saturday by Mr. A. Scott, Scottish Divisional Traffic Officer of B.R.S., when he addressed the Scottish regional conference of the Purchasing Officers' Association in Glasgow.
Mr. W. Blair, traffic development officer, Scottish Region, British Railways, said that the railways were willing and anxious to meet the changing needs of industry.
EMERGENCY POWERS REFUSED
ANapplication by Bradford Corporation to supplement trolleybus services by motorbuses on special occasions without first notifying the Licensing Authority has been refused.
Opposing the application, the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., submitted that the corporation's existing authorization to operate emergency services was adequate,