Student service is self-seeking: GMT
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PROPOSED stage-carriage service in the centre of Manchester to ter for the needs of the city's university students has been aticked as opportunistic and self-seeking by Greater Manchester ransport.
The attack, also mounted by he Transport and General iorkers Union, came during the earing of an application by inglands South Manchester oachways Ltd for a circular serice between Owens Parks and harles Street during term-time, perating every 30 minutes, with uplicates from 8 am until 8 pm. A flat fare of 20p was proosed.
Finglands managing director :din Bunning said contract serices had been operated over le route since December at the equest of the students' union. he intention was to provide a service between students dormitory areas and the university, but the service would also be open to the public. He contended that the proposals would relieve the peak-hour pressure on GMT, so saving it money.
Chairman of the Northwestern Traffic Commissioners Roy Hutchings said the contract operation had been investigated and it conformed with the regulations.
For GMT it was contended that the existing services were adequate, average loadings were good, and although GMT gener ally was in a serious financial position, this particular area showed a better financial return.
GMT recognised the benefits in private operators helping to minimise peak problems, but the way forward was through cooperation and avoiding unfair competition.
There had been talks with Finglands on morning peak problems some months ago, but the problem had now disappeared as passenger levels were declining. It was forecast that GMT would lose between £60,000 and £90,000 a year if Finglands service was authorised and this would lead to significant service cuts and frequency reductions in the area.
Finglands fares were in many instances cheaper and Greater Manchester County Council wanted to standardise fares throughout the area and if a grant was made it would ask for conditions to be imposed to bring Finglands fares into line.
Of 229 students interviewed who did not use the GMT services, most did not do so for reasons unconnected with the buses.
Adjourning the hearing until May 14, the Commissioners asked for further information from GMT regarding possible impact on their off-peak operations.