Tender Policy for Contracts Upheld
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I N a trio of applications for licences to carry workmen to Service camps and building sites, heard by the Western Traffic Commissioners last week at Bristol, Mr. S. W. Nelson, chairman, said that it was the general policy to grant a licence following a contract. Although there were exceptions, the basis of tender would be upset if this policy were not followed.
In the first case, R. W. Toop, W. J. lronside and P. W. Davis, trading as Bere Regis Motor Services, Bere Regis, Dorset, succeeded in their application to convey workmen for the War Department to and from Bovington Camp.
E. W. Shire, Trull, Taunton, applied unsuccessfully for a licence to operate new services with two vehicles, on contract with the War Department, to carry workmen between Bridgwater and Norton Manor Camp, Taunton.
The application was opposed by the Western National Omnibus Co., Ltd., for whom Mr. T. D. Corpe said that they held the original contract at £4 17s. 6d. a day (later reduced to £4 10s.). The applicants' tender was for
£3 5s, a day .for approximately 45 passengers for about .1 I miles in each direction,
Mr. Corpe said that if workmen had to be carried separately under contract it would eventually bring about a serious position for the bus companies.
Refused This Time • Bere Regis then applied for a licence to operate a new service to the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority Establishment at Portland Winfrith, covering Weymouth and neighbouring localities, Southern National Omnibus Co., Ltd., opposed and made a similar application.
Mr. Nelson said that the contract was not of the normal form: if the seats were not filled, tIzey were paid for by the Authority. With the exception of Weymouth to Portland Winfrith, the area of routes was covered by Southern National and special licences had already been issued from Weymouth to Winfrith.
The application of Southern National was granted and that of the Bere Regis company refused.