Campaign begins
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WHAT IT described as "a massive nationwide campaign" against the Minister of Transport's Passenger Transport Authority plans was launched at a meeting in London this week by the PV0A national action
committee.
The committee, which represents both large and small operators, was set up specifically to fight the Minister's plans. And after the meeting, the chairman, Mr. John Steel, a Yorkshire bus operator, announced that posters would soon be appearing on privatelyowned buses and coaches all over the country urging the electorate to reject "back-door nationalization".
He added: "Leaflets will be handed to passengers warning them that they could soon be forced to travel by rail. Freedom of choice between cheap luxury coach travel and the more expensive railway service might be denied them".
The committee also decided to urge the formation of further local action committees throughout the country. Already such bodies have sprung to life in the West Midlands, Yorkshire, the North West, and North East England to defend unsubsidized, free enterprise transport.
Mr. Steel said the national and local committees would also appeal to MPs, local authorities, ratepayers, taxi and hire car associations, and all other interested bodies to oppose the formation of Passenger Transport Authorities.
"It must be remembered," he said, "that it is the Minister's plan to make the ratepayer responsible for all passenger transport losses, including the existing deficit on British Railways' local services."
Further local action committees are expected to be formed in East Midlands, South Wales, Scotland, West of England, and possibly Tees-side. And three committees may be formed in South East England.