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Cars Blamed for Bus Losses

8th March 1957, Page 65
8th March 1957
Page 65
Page 65, 8th March 1957 — Cars Blamed for Bus Losses
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

' THE principal reason that train and bus services are becoming uneconomic is because so many people have their own cars and method of transport," said Mr. John Baldock (Cons., Flarborotigh) in the House of Commons last week., when he initiated a discussion on rural transport services.

He thought that the Conditions of Fitness Regulations should be eased to make possible the operation of 8-scat and 12-seat buses in remote districts. Vehicles to carry both passengers and parcels might also be tried.

There was "far too much fuss" entailed in obtaining a road service licence if someone wished merely to run a car or station wagon: Mr. Baldock considered that the licensing procedure was necessary if it were proposed to ;run a bus service, but it was far too cumbrous if the owner of a car wanted a licence to carry small numbers of people shortdistances in areas not served by public transport.

• " Licence by Next Post" "If a town has not public internal transport which will take people from one side of the town to the other, and if a taxi driver asks permission to serve regularly a route across the town, surely the licence should be given him, put into the very next post, so that he can help fill the need," Mr. Baldock suggested.

Mr.. E. Popplewell (Lab., Newcastle upon Tyre West) said that when rail branch lines had been closed, the British

Transport Commission had attempted to assist the rural areas by granting subsidies to private bus owners to provide services.

'On numerous occasions private bus owners, small men in many instances, have accepted such offers but, shortly after, -have taken their buses out of service," he stated.

"We know from past experience that private bus undertakings will not operate unremunerative services," Mr. Popplewell added. We have from time to time seen large bus undertakings shed the moral obligations upon them and, encourage other and smaller bus proprietors to undertake the unrernimera• tive services. They are run for a time and are then withdrawn."

The solution lay in the Minister of Transport's indicating how he would co-ordinate country road services, perhaps continuing to give financial assistance.

Mr. G. R. H. Nugent, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, pointed out that non-paying services could not be withdrawn without permission. Some 40-50 per cent, of rural services were unremunerative. If Mr. Baldock's proposed "informal services" were not kept in check, the cream would be taken from bus traffic and gravely prejudice regular services.

Because of the time limit, Mr. Nugent could not deal with other points raised. but promised to do so in writing.


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