85 Operators in Big Ticket Case
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Railways Allege Disregard for Official Decision. Road Operators Complain of Rail " Spying
ACCUSATIONS that bus companies had a " cynical disregard" for the Traffic Commissioners' ruling, and complaints of "spying activities" against the L.N.E. Railway Co., were features of the inquiry held, last week, at Newcastlei-on-Tyne,' by the Northern Traffic Commissioner's, into an application by the L.N.E.R. for restrictions on the use of 12-journey bus
tickets. The hearing was adjourned until October' 7.
Mr. P. Merritt represented the L.N.E.R. and Mr. E. S. Herbert appeared for• Newcastle Corporation, Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., United Automobile Services, Ltd., Tynemouth Traction Co., Wakefield's Motors, Ltd., Sunderland Omnibus Co., and Associated Road Operators, representing 79 other concerns. In addition, there were representatives from most of the local authorities in the Northern Area, the great majority of which is against the railway application.
Irregularities Alleged.
Sir John Maxwell, chairman, said that there had been complaints by the L.N.E.R. of irregularities regarding 12journey bus tickets, which had resulted in wasteful competition.
At the outset Mr. Merritt read a letter from the L.N.E.R. district passenger manager for Newcastle, setting out the company's suggestions. These included proposals that 12-journey tickets be issued to workmen only ; limits on the time when they are available for use ; each ticket should be marked " not transferable"; tickets should be signed by the passenger and not be accepted unless signed; they should show whether issued to a male or female ; to be issued only at the offices of the companies and not by conductors; to be available for only one week; the passenger to be given credit for tickets not used ; and a standardized ticket to be introduced.
An "Innocent " Circular.
Mr. Merritt criticized the bus companies for carrying on a campaign among the local authorities while the whole question was sub judice. He said that these authorities had been circularized in the road interests, but Mr. E. S. Herbert interposed to say that the circular was an innocent one and notified local authorities of the inquiry.
In the past, declared Mr. Merritt, restrictive measures had been little more than expressions which any operator might wish to follow. Operators had traded on the fact that the Commissioners' recommendations were not enforced. He knew of abundant instances where the requirements with regard to 12-jcurney tickets were not complied with.
Mr. Merritt pointed out that these tickets were originally issued for use by workmen and regular travellers, but they were now available for all and were used as a means for fare-cutting. He knew that 12-journey tickets were still largely used by workpeopIe and did not wish to interfere in this respect. The railway company, in its workmen's tickets, had a broad standard and he did not suggest that the conditions for road operators should be any more stringent.
A railway clerk gave evidence that he had travelled from Newcastle to Whitley Bay, on one occasion, with an old 12-journey ticket, whilst another time he and a friend had travelled on the same route with two tickets taken from the same book. Replying to Mr. Herbert, the witness maintained that these operations were a test and not a trap.
Mr. Herbert questioned Mr. P. A. Harverson, assistant manager for the L.N.E.R. (North-eastern Area), regarding a statement that the bus companies did not wish to stop the abuse of 12-journey tickets. Why did he not report abuses of which he knew to the Traffic Commissioners? Mr. Herbert suggested that the L.N.E.R. had deliberately "saved up" these trapped cases, in order to use them at that inquiry. Mr. Halverson denied this. Mr. Herbert then remarked that it appeared unfair to bring evidence which was 11 months old.
L.N.E.R. to Call the Tune?
Mr. Ha rverson. said that the L.N.E.R. wished the present system to be abolished and tickets made available for workmen on conditions suggested by the company. Mr. Herbert replied that 86 per cent. of the railway traffic was not carried at ordinary rates. Bus operators did not have a variety of " fancy " tickets, as did the railway.
Referring to the evidence given by the railway clerk, Mr. Herbert condemned these "spying activities" and attempts to trap conductors. One witness admitted that a book of bus tickets had been kept in the railway offices until they were out of date, and then used.
TROLLEYBUSES FOR SOUTH SHIELDS NEXT WEEK.
riN October 8, the first South Shields tro3leybus service will be inaugurated. The route lies between the Market Place and Cleaclon. Fares have been fixed so that the trolleybuses will not compete with the tramcars, but the charges will be less than the ordinary bus fares.
This is the first section of the council's scheme for introducing trolleybuses. The second portion will be brought into use within a few months.
MYSTERY INFORMANT IN FARES CASE'
APPARENTLY someone in London makes a hobby of studying provin
cial fare-tables. He has drawn the attention of the East Midland Traffic Commissioners to alleged anomalies in the fare-table for the ScunthorpeGainsborough route operated by Enterprise and Silver Dawn Motors, Ltd., Scunthorpe.
The Commissioners invited him to appear before them and give evidence, but they have been unable to locate him. A statement to this effect was made, last week, at Lincoln, by Mr. J. H. Stirk, chairman of the Commissioners.
The Enterprise concern applied for permission to revise its fare-table to avoid double bookings between intermediate stages. The revision necessitated substantial increases in several single fares, although the company was loath to suggest them.
Mr. Stirk announced : "In the circumstances we are not going to make the villagers in the Gainsborough district pay as much as 3d. more to get to market, just to please him "—referring to the anonymous informant. The application was withdrawn.
ROUTE NOT CLEARLY, DEFINED.
AWORKMEN'S service on which neither the terminal point at one end nor the route to be followed was precisely defined, has been the subject of appeal by the United Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd. The East Midland Traffic Commissioners authorized Messrs. R. L. Seamarks and Son, of Higham Ferrers, Northants, to run the service from Irthlingborough to Rushden.
Whilst not disagreeing with the Commissioners' general decision, the Minister of Transport has ordered the clear definition of the route and starting place, and imposed certain restrictions.
NEWCASTLE TROLLEYBUSES LEAD, SAYS VISITOR.
IINFORMATION has been received at Newcastle-on-Tyne that the Australian Commissioner for Road Transport and Tramways (Mn S. A. MaddOcks), who recently visited ,New castle, was so impressed with the city's trolleybuses that he is, to recommend the introduction of vehicles of similar • design on the steam 'tramway between Rogarah • and Sans. Souci (Botany Bay): . Mr. Maddocks thinks that Newcastle's' trolleybuses. are the
best of their type in England. • STATION APPEAL COMING..
LOWESTOFT Corporation is appeal against the decision of the Eastern Traffic Commissioners to allow the. Eastern counties Omnibus' Co., Ltd., to use its own bus station in Gordon Road, Lowestoft, as a terminal point for its services. The company was required to use the municipal station.