A MINISTRY APPEAL HEARD AT TREDEGAR.
Page 63
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A Dispute as to the Popularity of Coach Services Between London and South Wales.
ON September 25th Mr. N. A. J. Cohen, a Ministry of Transport commissioner, held at Tredegar an inquiry into the appeal of the Great Western Express Co., Ltd., against the refusal by Tredegar Urban District Council of, plying licences in connection
with the company's London-Pontypridd coach service. An appeal was also made against a similar refusal by Brymnawr Urban District Council, Mr. T. E. Showan, barrister, appeared for the appellants, and stated that, as the result of the licence refusals. the company paid passengers' fares to Ebbw Vale, where they could board Londonbound coaches. Mr. Gerald Nowell, manager of the Great Western Express Co., Ltd., said that the service was inaugurated at the request of the public, frequent travellers by rail having complained that, when journeying to towns in the mining valleys, they are inconvenienced by the long distances of their destinations from the local railway stations.
Mr. Guy Down, secretary and director of Red and White Services, Ltd., which operates between Tredegar and Brynmawr and London opposed the application of the Great Western Express Co., Ltd., stating that in winter months it was his company's experience that on all long-distance services fares received met only half the cost of operation. To this the commissioner said, "Your experience, then, is quite contrary to that of the appellants."
After a discussion Mr. Gerald Nowell was recalled to the witness box, and pointed out an important psychological fact which is, perhaps, not made the most of, probably because it is not fully understood. He said that, when a new route was opened up with a meagre experimental service it received inadequate support by the public, but if, in spite of the consequent losses, the service was increased, frequent coach departures being available during the day, the demand for such means of transport followed the supply.
He brought forward the instance of the London-Cardiff route, the initial attempt to open this route having resuited in a considerable loss of money, whereas subsequent development had the effect of making the route a paying one for the seven companies now operating upon it. He contended that the amplitude of service was the creator, not the gauge, of* traffic demand in these times.
• It was submitted in justification of the councils' refusal of licences that there was na evidence of demand for additional services.
• Mr. Showan submitted that the councils might, in view of the evidence, care to reconsider their refusals and grant licences for an experimental period. Representatives of the councils said they had no authority to pledge their councils to the granting of licences ; they would undertake, however, that any further application made should have immediate consideration.
The inquiry closed with the commissioner urging upon the councils to make a speedy decision upon new applications to be submitted by the appellants