Llandudno . Bus Battle Flares Up Again
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rAA CLAIM that Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., were determined to run the Llandudno and Colwyn Bay Electric Railway Co., Ltd., off the road was made at Llandudno on Tuesday. The railway company, who changed to buses in 1956, were appealing against January's decision by the North Western Traffic 'Commissioners regarding the services operated by the companies on a common route between Llandudno and Colwyn Bay.
At that hearing, the railway company suggested that Crosville should operate a 15-minute frequency during the winter months, instead of every 10 minutes as at present. This would prevent the route being "over-bussed," and would enable the railway company to enjoy 50 per coil. of the profit on the route.
On Tuesday, Mr. John R. Amphlett, a director of the railway company, produced figures which, he claimed, proved that fewer buses could be operated without loss of gross revenue.
He pointed out that during the Suez. crisis the companies each operated four
journeys an hour. This meant a considerable reduction in mileage and operating costs, yet the gross takings remained unchanged.
"Costly Attitude"
" Realizing this," said Mr. Amphlett, " one wonders why Crosville persist in their attitude, which obviously costs them money. It is an attitude which only brings nearer the next application for increased fares, and one which must reduce the annual profit they can hand over to their big shareholder, the British Transport Commission. We say they do it to make it impossible finally for us to carry .on, and if that happens additional annual revenue of £40,000 will fall into their taps." • For Crosville, Mr. Edward Jones said that although gross revenue did not drop during the Suez crisis it did not go up despite the number of cars off the road.
It was a fallacy for the railway company to suppose that the expenses of both companies on the common route should be the same, and it was obvious that Crosville's takings, by virtue of cross-over
traffic, would be Much larger. Their service was a long-established one, and they could not afford to have it interfered with for fear of meeting with consumer resistance.
Mr. A. N. C. Shelly, the Ministry of Transport inspector, said he would complete his report as quickly as possible.
C.A.V. SALES CHANGES
MORE changes in their sales organization have been announced by CAN., Ltd. The Eastern Area, under Mr. G. H. Wolno, has been extended to reach from Lincolnshire to Essex. The South-Eastern Area now comprises the Home Counties, together with Hants, Sussex, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and Mr. D. J. Thomas is area manager. Mr. J. E. Liardet is in charge of the London Area, which covers an 18-mile radius from Charing Cross.