Dial-a-ride gets right connection
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IAL-A-RIDE door-to-door pick up and set down service within Borough of Halton for an experimental period of six months is to operated by Cheshire independent Dobsons Coaches of nstoCkgralam.
kn application for a new ige-carriage licence was inted by the North-western iffic Commissioners at Chesdespite opposition from Chore County Council, Warring and Runcorn Development rporation, and operators Hal1 Borough Council and Crose Motor Services {CM, July . They claimed a grant would mean abstraction from their own services and could result in further service restrictions.
The County Council said they had no objection to a grant for a trial period but imposed certain conditions. A short term grant should not exceed four months; fares within Widnes or Runcorn should be 60p and between Widnes and Runcorn or vice versa El; and there should be no picking up of passengers except those making appointments by phone or at certain points along the route.
Dobsons contended that a four month trial would be too short. It agreed to the fares stipulation but the condition for phone passengers was unacceptable, saying that he wanted to pick up passengers whenever hailed.
Chairman Roy Hutchings said the Commissioners considered a six-month trial would be appropriate. A condition would be attached that it was the operator's responsibility not to pick up or set down at any place or in such a way as to create road hazards or put public safety at risk. Where there was a doubt, any police ruling must be complied with.
The applicants had agreed not to use the Runcorn Busway but the Dickensons Street pedestrian area which was limited to public service vehicles, could be used. Vehicle allowance would be unrestricted.
There would be no formal conditions regarding monitoring, but the operator must make available any information reasonably required by the County Council or the Traffic Commissioners.