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12.6 Per Cent. More P.S.V. Operators

30th November 1951
Page 41
Page 41, 30th November 1951 — 12.6 Per Cent. More P.S.V. Operators
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

IN the year ended March 31 last, the number of public service vehicle operators increased by 12.6 per cent. The total rose from 4,449 to 5,010, an advance of 561. This growth was accounted for mainly by the entry of 410 new one-vehicle operators into the industry.

During the same period, the number of public service vehicles, including those run by London Transport, increased from 73,963 to 75,618, an expansion of 2.2 per cent. Excluding London Transport, the country's fleet of coaches and buses grew by 1.2 per cent. (835), from 66,928 to 67,763.

These facts are given in the Summary of Annual Reports of the Licensing Authorities for Public Service Vehicles, 1950-1951, which was published last week by the Stationery Office as a Blue Book at 2s. This summary has been issued barely six months after the reports for the year ended March 31, 1950, which were reviewed in "The Commercial Motor" on June I last.

The value of the latest publication is. however, greatly diminished by the omission of financial and statistical information relating to undertakings owning more than five vehicleA. This is to be included in a separate volume of financial and statistical data relating to trams, trolleybuses and public service vehicles, which will be published early in 1952 under the title of "Public Road Passenger Transport Statistics."

Several of the Licensing Authorities draw attention to the shortage of operating staff and the need for working overtime. This problem was partly solved in the Northern Area by allowing operators, during the holiday season, to dispense with conductors on duplicate vehicles on certain long-distance stage services. Dispensation 'was limited to occasions when only pre-booked passengers to principal towns along the route were carried.

The West Midland Licensing Authority received 23 applications for permission to dispense with conductors on stage services and granted 21 of them, subject to conditions. In the East Midland Area, dispensation was granted "in a few suitable cases."

Note is taken of a decline in the , demand for excursions and tours, although the Eastern Area reports a greater, call for excursion and tour licences, There are also suggestions that private-hire work has passed its peak.

A large increase in the number of applications for variations of road service licences is observed in most parts of the country.

Several Licensing Authorities comment on unremunerative operation and on the reluctance of companies to increase services which are working at a loss.

The Northern Licensing Authority observes '"a growing tendency among iedustrial undertakings to consult the Licensing Authority regarding transport services at an early Stage when planning new factories or development involving the recruitment of additional labour. Contact is maintained with the large industrial undertakings to ensure that transport facilities keep pace with, and are adapted to, changes in requirements. For example, the provision of new services has enabled manufacturers to draw fresh labour from farther afield and so espand their export production."

In the North Western Area, the shortage of labour in industries generally has caused many employers to arrange special road services at subsidized fares.

An improvement in the standard of maintenance of vehicles is generally observed.

Of 218 appeals outstanding at March 31. 1950, 155 were on the same point of p:inciple. At March 31 last, 138 appeals awaited decision. During the 12 months to that date, 168 valid appeals were lodged, 14 decisions of the licensing Authorities were revoked and 222 were upheld.


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