Discretionary Inclusive Fares for Tours Upheld
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COACH operators in the north-west who fix their own inclusive charges for named tours last week defeited a move to have the system altered (The Commercial Motor, November 21). Mr. F. Williamson, chairman of the North Western Traffic Commissioners, said no amendments were necessary.
Discretionary inclusive charges were first allowed last year,, on the understanding that express operators could have the matter reviewed after 12 months. Yelloway Motor Services, Ltd., initiated last week's hearing, suggesting that fixed charges should now be instituted again.
They were backed up by W. C. Standerwick, Ltd.; Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., Scout Motor Services, Ltd.; North Western Road Car Co., Ltd.; and British Railways, although the railways withdrew on the second day. The six tours operators concerned were Florence Motors, Ltd.; Batty-Holt Touring Services, Ltd.; Happiway Tours (Manchester), Ltd.; W. Robinson and Son (Gt. Harwood), Ltd.; Smith's tours (Wigan), Ltd.; and Stanley Spencer Tours (Manchester), Ltd.
Mr. S. Moss, for Florence, said he did not see why their fares should be the same as those charged in other areas. They were not unreasonable, and they did not want a reduction. Unless it were shown that the inclusive fares were affecting the road fares, the Commis sioners should not interfere. '
For Batty-Holt, Mr. H. Backhouse contended that Yelloway had failed miserably at the inquiry. Yelloway made nearly 100 per cent, profit on their working, which meant that only half their road fare was needed to cover all administrative expenses.
Replying, Mr. F. D. Walker, for Yelloway, said he realized that little evidence had been produced, so all he could do was to ask that the charges of fantail tours should he altered.
Mr. Williamson said the suggestions put forward by Yelloway could not be approved.
PICKFORDS BREAK THEIR CLEAN RECORD
WHEN summonses against B.R.S.
(Pickfords), Ltd., were heard at Salford, last week, it was stated that the company had been delivering petroleum spirit since 1925 and had never been convicted for contravening the regulations.
Their record was broken, however, when the magistrates imposed fines totalling £35 on three charges—using a tanker without a fire extinguisher, without the words petroleum spirit, highly inflammable" painted on it, and using the vehicle with leaking valves.
WHY ARE THEY THERE?
A PLEA for research into the nature r-k of traffic in towns was made last week by Mr. W. A. Winson, at a meeting at Hitchin of the Traders' Road Transport Association. It would, he said, be aimed at discovering why road users, including motorists, were in a particular place at a particular time.
Mr. Winson was speaking on the "Kerb Space is Precious" campaign.