ach fares: cut rice or cut throat?
Page 17
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YOUR issue of June 6 you rried a letter from Geoffrey Steel of Wallace Arnold in which e comments on a speech I ecently made.
Whilst it was unfortunate that your journal should have .incorrectly styled my position within CIBS, I find Mr Steel's correction, "I am given to 4 understand that he is a regional chairman in Nottingham" offensive.
' As he knows from personal conversation and correspondence as well as by attending past functions, East Midland region of CIBS is not some local Nottingham association, but covers an area from Humberside to Henley-onThames.
When Mr Steel says "This company is ... in membership of CIBS" he really refers only to Wallace Arnold; but in the context of the letter the wholly incorrect implication is made that British Coachways is a CIBS member.
It is true that I made a reference to British Coachways in a speech by way of reply to one made by Junior Transport Minister Kenneth Clarke, in which psv subsidies was strongly featured. This, however, was only to demonstrate the dangers of incorrect pricing policies in the changing and competitive market which I believe has a damaging effect on the ability of the vast body of independent operators to justify a proper charge to customers — even though there may well have been benefits to British Coachways.
Put in another way, the apparent price war between British Coachways and National las engendered the totally ncorrect notion that coach Jperators have been making axcessive profits in the past. However good this might be for some British Coachways participants, it has undermined the goodwill which existed between the average independent operator and his customers.
Even if — as Mr Steel claims — there may be greater profits to be made on regular express services, is it really sanity to reduce the price of what is already the cheapest form of public transport?
Finally, I must take issuewith Mr Steel's closing remarks. His trade association, CPT, has been engaged for a number of years in pressing the case to successive Governments for equality of fuel rebate across the industry. Although there clearly is benefit to that sector of the industry, there is equally a demonstrable community benefit whicb has been one of the main "planks" of the CPT platform on this issue.
The content of Mr Clarke's speech was such that it was more than opportune to press home this point on that occasion. I am amazed that such a prominent figure in our industry as Mr Steel can so glibly try and "pull the rug" from under the feet of his fellow CIBS members.
P. B. ROGERS Regional chairman East Midland CIBS
Let's curb the lorry bashers
I WAS INTERESTED to read your Editorial on the need for the transport industry to counter the anti-lorry propaganda, which continues to grow.
One has to admit that the Jimmy Saville — Age of the Train campaign has been effective and I wonder whether a similar campaign on behalf of hauliers would lessen public fears which centre upon the suspected evil of the juggernaut. I recently saw Tommy Steele in a one-night show at the New Theatre, Oxford and it occurred to me that he might well be the ideal character to present as Tommy Trucker, your friendly lorry driver.
Operators and manufacturers, unions and employers all have a vested interest in promoting the image of the industry and if you led the way through CM no doubt funds could be raised to finance a publicity campaign.
If it is felt that there is any merit in the proposal so far, I would be happy to pursue the matter further.
F. W. LEWSEY Witney, Oxon
We'd all like to get our hands on this!
I REFER to the news item "£2,000 a week man gets his 0-licence" (CM, June 6).
I would like to advise Mr Buckley when he begins to operate that he should not put his name on the vehicle as the struggling opposition will be following him in an effort to find out where he picks up loads to London from Merseyside paying £450.
I suggest Mr Buckley stays at home and saves his transport manager's wages, as I will gladly give him 20 per cent of all return loads he can get me from London paying £250.
GEOFF PARKER (Haulage contractor), Wirral, Cheshire
Michelin men on a blow out
We are sorry that Mr Hedgcc, , has had problems with a Michelin D20 XZA Tyre (CM, June 13).
But we wish to point out that the complaint tyre has been examined by a body independent of Michelin, the tyre Manufacturers Conference, and no defect of manufacture was found. On appeal a second examination was carried out which supported the original findings.
We refute the allegation that a 25 per cent discount was made to Mr Hedgcock. In fact, the offei to supply two regraded tyres was made and refused by him. This offer was made as a gestur( of goodwill on our part, and in no way indicated any liability. C. C. ROGERS Public relations Michelin Tyre Co Ltd London SW3
The ramifications of ins and outs
I WOULD like to point out that in your excellent article on the RH/ Harrogate Tipcon Convention (CM, June 13) I was quoted on Page 33 as stating that Telehoist majored on inside sealing rams and we can make outside ones, etc.
This was unfortunate, since it is completely opposite to the statement I made to the delegates at Saturday's meeting
It is important to my company that the point is made that we major in outside sealing rams, but that we do manufacture large quantities of inside sealing rams to suit the market's requirements.
P. HOPKINS Spares and service manager Telehoist Cheltenham
We apologise to Mr Hopkins for this misprint — Editor.