CTA-operated public transport would mean higher costs, warns Trent chief
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AWARNING that higher costs and possibly higher fares and increased rates could result if the Government decreed that all public transport in the conurbations was to be operated by Conurbation Transport Authorities was voiced last week by chairman Mr. R. J. Ellery at the annual meeting of the Trent Motor Traction Co. Ltd.
He added that "although the creation of operating conurbation authorities would doubtless reduce the number of separate transport undertakings within their areas, what of the fragmentation which would result outside—and how would the rural remnants (deprived of the crosssubsidization from urban operations) fare? These are some of the questions worrying the industry".
Mr. Ellery though there was something to be said for the creation of advisory authorities to co-ordinate the sometimes not easily reconcilable interests of public transport, land use, highways, traffic engineering and the like. But he could see no merit— indeed only demerit—in setting up authorities to control and operate all forms of public transport in their areas.
"Is it the Minister's view that only through Conurbation Transport Authorities can the decline of public transport be reversed? If so, the implication is that the industry is inefficient and incapable of helping itself.
"I wonder if there is anything wrong with public passenger transport which those who now run it could not put right if Government departments and local authorities were more helpful and the trade unions more co-operative."
Mr. Ellery asked if it was fair to criticize the industry "when almost every new fiscal measure thought up by successive Chancellors seems to be deliberately designed to make its plight worse— fuel tax, the withdrawal of investment allowances and so on? No wand magically waved by a Conurbation Transport Authority will cure all these things".
Turning to the new regional transport coordinating committees, Mr. Ellery stressed that their members included the Chairmen of the Traffic Commissioners.
"We should, I suggest, remind ourselves that Traffic Commissioners, first appointed under the Traffic Act of 1930, have a statutory duty to secure the co-ordination of passenger road trans port services in their respective areas—and, generally speaking, right well have they discharged that duty.
"It would be the greatest possible mistake if; under some new blueprint imposed by Whitehall, the licensing system set up by the 1930 Actor the powers vested in the Traffic Commissioners under it—were disrupted or undermined. The system has stood the test of time, no matter what uninformed critics may occasionally say on the subject!
"With the help of the Commissioners, coordination of bus services has been developed on a wide scale—much wider than is generally known. Your company, for example, has long had joint working arrangements with neighbouring company and municipal operators, and those with the Derby Corporation Transport Undertaking are, as a result of the Corporation's continuing policy of substituting buses for trolley vehicles, about to be further extended.
"Co-ordination of road and rail services has been progressively achieved ever since the road/ rail partnership was forged in 1929/1930—and I think it speaks volumes for the responsible approach of the parties that, in spite of the illconceived break-up of that partnership under the Transport Act of 1962, this co-ordination is not only being maintained but extended."
Safe Drivers: Safe driving awards have been presented to 231 drivers employed by the South Wales Transport Co., Swansea, and awards of merit to 271 of the company's conductors.