Be aggressive
Page 7
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A 121/2 per cent increase in rail fares is on the way and another round of commuter battles is certain. Going on past experience the National Bus Company, the traveller's real alternative, will fail to capitalise on British Rail's "misfortune."
There is plenty of evidence that commuters and long distance travellers alike are ready to desert the permanent way. It seems the coachmen are unaware of this intention or of their own potential.
Long distance coach travel with its linking services is very acceptable and could be made even more attractive. Already coaches are cheaper and more flexible in operation and cancellations are very much the exception rather than the rule.
Why then does National Bus Company not exploit the opportunities presented to it by its ailing opponent? Is it because they have the same political master? If this is the reason it is yet further proof that nationalisation benefits neither the country nor the individual.