New constitution for coach operators
Page 18
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE adoption of a new constitution was one of the important decisions taken at an ordinary general meeting of the Coach Operators Federation last week.
The COF, formerly known as the Southern & Western Counties Coach Operators Federation, is hoping to eventually extend its activities over the whole of the country.
At presemt, it has 250 member-firms in nine counties, but membership is growing and it is hoped that the new constitution will provide the basis for this future expansion. The Gloucestershire Coach Operators Association has joined the COF (not the Confederation of British Road Passenger Transport as reported in CM July 16), and this was the largest number of independent members to join in one go.
The meeting also confirmed proposed rules for an interhiring scheme, which will be open to any coach operator in England, Scotland or Wales, provided they have paid the appropriate fee. A list of participating operators will be compiled and circulated to members.
In the event of a breakdown the operator whose vehicle is disabled will be able to call on any other member whose name appears in the scheme's list for help in carrying his passengers to their immediate destination.
It will be up to the operator who has broken down to ensure that the charge quoted for transport is fair, and he must pay those charges within a reasonable time.
However, if after two months have gone by, the assisting member has not received payment he may apply to the managers of the scheme. They will endeavour to obtain payment within one month, but failing that the bill will be paid for out of the scheme's funds and the defaulting member will be expelled.
In the event of a scheme member refusing assistance without good cause, the managers have the power to cancel his membership.
Cheaper insurance
The COF meeting was also told by its chairman, Mr Collings, of attempts made by the Federation to obtain a cheaper group rate for its members. This Mr Collings said, was proving difficult as insurance companies wen hesitant to offer any premiun reductions.
The meeting also approve( the Federation's logo for vehi cle stickers, which is o modern design.
Members voiced their dis approval of the vast increas( of the psv licence from £12.5( to E45.00, an increase of 40( per cent. The Federation'E working party, it was said would be making the strongest representation possible to the Ministry, in an endeavour to reduce the increase. It was also suggested that attempts should be made to have the fuel rebate subsidy applied to coach operators as well as bus operators.