One-man Bus Owner's Complaint.
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A LLEGING that a motorbus licence ..ti-had been unreasonably and unfairly declined, Mr. A. E. Roberts, of Llanllechid, lodged an appeal with the Ministry of Transport, who directed that an inquiry be held. This took place at Bangor a few days ago.
Applicant purchased a 14-seater motorbus for £400, and on applying to the Bangor general purposes committee for a licence, the latter contended that the traffic between Bethesda and Bangor and Llanfairfechan and Bangor did not justify the licensing of this particular bus. Applicant held that the committee had not made sufficient allowance for the demands of the public. It was also contended that its actions were directed to support a particular company in the city so that it might eventually enjoy a monopoly. The committee had no right to grant licences to advance the interest of any particular company, or to decline to grant a licence and so hinder enterprise. It certainly had no right to stand in the way of legitimate competition.
It was alleged that the owners of small vehicles were not treated in the same way as this company—the Blue Motor Co.—were treated. For instance, there was a route from Bangor to Carbaryon, and it included Portdinorwic. Before the Blue Motor Co. put buses on this route there was a bus running be
024 tween Bangor and Portdinorwic, and it belonged to a private owner.While the Blue Motor Co. were allowed to alter their time-table for the summer months, this private owner was not given the same privilege. Apparently the intention was that the Blue motors should have the monopoly of the route to the exclusion of all competition.
-The company already enjoyed a monopoly between Bangor and Menai Bridge—about 2i miles—for which they charged a fare of W. For the route between Bangor and Bethesda, a distance of five miles, where they had opposition, they issued single tickets for 6d. and return tickets for 10d. It was to the interests of the public that there should be fair competition. It was agreed that the services of the Blue Motor Co. were excellent and that the company was well managed, but the question was whether it was fair and reasonable, having regard to 'all the circumstances, to refuse the application of the appellant.
Mr. A. E. Roberts said there was a demand for an additional bus between Bangor and Bethesda and between Bangor and Llanfairfechan. His bus had been licensed by the Lranfairfechan COnnell. He had seen passengers being turned away from the Blue motors because they were overcrowded. Whilst the Blue motorbuses were allowed to stand in the main street at Bangor, the smaller vehicles were consigned to stands. The time-table he submitted would not have conflicted with that of the Blue Motor Co. Appellant said he did not think there were too many cars, especially on the Bethesda route, where everyone seemed to be living. The more vehicles put on the road, the more people travelled on them. The Rev. Madoc Roberts said the hackney carriage inspector made complaints that the appellant was not obeying the rules of the council, but VfEUR making rules of his own. The licence to Llanfairfechan was refused because there was already a continuous service right along to Penmaenmawr. What demand there was for buses was met by the Blue Motor Co. The committee had regard to the demand for the whole year, not alone for the exceptional traffic in the summer. They felt that there was not the slightest chance of two services surviving the winter months.
The inspector pointed out that it was the policy of the Ministry of Transport to support public bodies in their endeavour to see that undertakings given by those who got licences were carried out. He added that the Llanfairfechan Council would probably be consulted in the matter.
Provided that the small owner gives good service we see no reason why licences should be withheld.