Councils Co-ordinate Fares Opposition
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A CONFERENCE of South Wales
and Monmouthshire local authorities decided at Cardiff last week to co-ordinate opposition to any further application by bus 'operators for increases in fares. Two county councils and 26 urban and rural councils, representing Irn, people, were represented.
The conference resolved to set up a committee to " find ways and means to co-ordinate effective opposition to proposals for increasing any fares." They will also seek to preserve rural services, and to introduce "necessary changes" in transport legislation.
Mr. R. C. Maunder, eastern area manager of the Western Welsh Omnibus Co., Ltd., warned Newport Chamber of Commerce last week that the latest pay award to staff might result in the withdrawal of many unremunerative services in rural areas.
"OFFICIOUS CIVIL SERVANTS" FEARED
LIA1SON officers were unlikely to 1-1 form part of the organization for fuel rationing, in which case operators might find themselves dealing with civil servants who might be officious or unfriendly, said Mr. C. R. Lovett. chairman, at the annual dinner of Macclesfield Transport, Ltd., last week.
The situation was going to be serious, he stated, and the industry might have to revert to the group system. The company were, in effect, a group already in existence, and the possibility of using the concern as the nucleus of a larger group might he considered. By such means the small operator could be kept in existence when he might be in trouble if he worked alone.
Fuel allowances appeared td represent about 16 per cent, of normal consumption, said Mr. E. S. Swann, transport officer of Brown, Bibby and Gregory, Ltd. For the Minister of Transport to say that the railways could carry the goods was poor consolation for the haulier. It was doubtful whether industry could stand the cost of continued rail transport.
Road vehicles would have to be loaded in both directions, he said. His company were asking customers to accept larger consignments—for example, a double load at fortnightly intervals, instead of normal weekly deliveries.
SWANSEA TO BUY S.W.T. TOWN SERVICES
THE town bus services operated by the South Wales Transport Co., Ltd., are to be purchased by Swansea Corporation on December 31, 1957. This was decided at a special meeting of the council on Tuesday. There were 31 votes for the purchase and 11 against. It is estimated that the cost will be about ilm.
The town clerk has been instructed to apply for sanction to borrow the necessary money.