Express services n ow need protecting, Commissioners told
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AUTHORITY to operate an express coach service between Tamworth and Newquay, originally granted to Monty Moreton Ltd, Nuneaton, by the West Midland Traffic Commissioners, was refused when the Commissioners re-heard the application at Birmingham last week, following a High Court direction.
The company was seeking to operate the service, picking up at Wilnecote, Dorden, Grendon, Atherstone, Nuneaton, Bedworth and Coventry, on 10 Saturdays in July, August and during the Coventry September break, returning one or two weeks later. Return fares of £7.50 (£5 for children) were proposed. The application was opposed by British Rail, National Travel (Midlands) Ltd, Midland Red Ltd, Associated Motorways, and Western National Omnibus Co Ltd. An objection by Wallace Arnold Tours Ltd was withdrawn after Monty Moreton agreed not to advertise the service as part of an inclusive holiday facility and not to make arrangements for block bookings.
When the Commissioners first heard the case on April 10 they said they required to hear evidence from the road objectors, but felt that there was such a great difference between the rail and road fares that evidence from BR would not be relevant. After hearing evidence from the road objec tors, the Commissioners granted the application.
British Rail appealed to the High Court, on the grounds that the Commissioners' decision was contrary to natural justice in that they had been prevented from giving evidence. The High Court quashed the decision and hy consent ordered that the application be completely re-heard.
On May 22, Mr M. W. Moreton, managing director, said the area around Tamworth and Coventry had been neglected in regard to holiday services. Inquiries from the public had revealed there was a need for a direct service, operating more cheaply than BR, Following the grant in April, he had advertised the service. Sixty-two passengers were booked up to April 25, when booking was suspended owing to the High Court decision.
Mr D. M. Kirby, operations manager National Travel, said the only places NT did not serve which the applicant was proposing to do, were the small villages between Tamworth and Nuneaton. Midland Red operated a 30-minute frequency stage carriage service along the line of route. It was not unusual for people from small places to have to travel to main centres to join express coach services. NT had to carry express services throughout the year and could not afford to lose traffic at peak periods.
Mr D. Aston, BR divisional passenger manager, Stoke-onTrent, said BR provided services from Atherstone, Tamworth, Nuneaton and Coventry, connecting with services to the south west from Birmingham. A grant would lead to abstraction from rail. He admitted that people would have to make from one to four changes of train. The chairman, Mr A. Crabtree, commented that : changes of train could ha be described as a reason; alternative. BR provided good, fast, through-ser from Birmingham. The p lem was getting to Birm ham.
For the road objectors, G. B. Morgan argued that press services were no lor money-spinners and now quired the kind of proteci in the past afforded to st carriage services.
After hearing two pu witnesses in support of application, the chairman the Commissioners found t the existing road services N.,■, already adequate. The evide of need was very weak ; there had been no evide from travel agents of any mand for an additional serv The Commissioners propo to refuse the application I concerned about the pul who had already booked, s they would allow the applic to operate on the two p Saturdays this season only.