Duplication Order Hits Western S.M.T. Co.
Page 48
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REPORTS from the London coaching stations and long-distance operators show a decided inerease in the number of passengers carried at Christmas, this year, over that of last year. In the case of Victoria Coach Station, the returns were the heaviest since 1929, which was the peak year.
With the exception of the Western S.M.T. Co., Ltd., long-distance operators found that, in spite-of the record figures and the restriction Of ditPlica. thin, the number of vehicles permitted \vas sufficient to carry the traffic. The explanation is to be found in the-fact that Christmas Day fell, this year, on a Wednesday, and that, therefore, the big exodus from London was spread over from the Friday before Christmas to and including Christmas Eve.
Had it not been for this blessing in disguise—to which the Minister's
visers. might give due consideration— the rush and difficulties on Christmas Eve, with restricted duplications in force, would•have been ,worse, and the
number of people coerced into travelling by rail greater.
The service which was literally full, that of the Western S.M.T. Co., Ltd., from London to Glasgow, had to be closed to bookings a week before Christmas, and on Christmas Eve the company had to turn away from its offices in . Northumberland Avenue, London, over •125 would-be passengers, quite apart from the many who must have been turned away by booking agents throughout London.
Another five vehicles could have moved the bulk of this traffic and thus have eased the pressure at the railway stations. Incidentally, no coaching .accidents or undue delays had to be reported over the holidays, in spite of the bad weather, which played such havoc with railway lines and timetables,The deduction is that the operation of a few extra vehicles—they are not used unless required—would not have interfered in any way with rail traffic.