Duplication Rule Loses Traffic
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THE restriction of duplication on certain long-distance services caused great inconvenience to passengers and serious financial loss to operators, last week-end. Inquiries from three big London coach stations showed that the volume of traffic was larger than ever, but that thousands of intending passengers had to be turned' away, partly due to the duplication ruling.
On Tuesday, London Coastal Coaches, Ltd., estimated that the weekend traffic was higher than at any period since the company opened its fine coach station in Buckingham Palace Road: On the Saturday the traffic was particularly heavy, and there was no cessation in the flow from morning until night.
On Sunday morning the traffic was considerable, but eased off later in the day, whilst the outward loads on Mon day were also fairly heavy. The inward traffic on Monday evening was almost as large as the outgoing volume on the Saturday. In some instances, limited duplication prevented passengers from returning on the day desired.
A similar report was forthcoming from King's Cross Motor Coach Station, which estimated record business. Nevertheless, the lack of adequate duplication facilities on some routes cost the station and operators hundreds of pounds. We were informed that, through this harsh restriction, one small North Country concern lost business valued at over £400.
A representative of the station commented upon the growing tendency for passengers to wait until the last moment before booking.
Mr. Gerald Nowell, managing director of the General Travel Agency (London), Ltd. (proprietor of the London Terminal Coach Station), informed The Commercial, Motor that, generally speaking, it was the best holiday that the statibn had ever experienced. The South Wales traffic was probably the heaviest which he has ever known.
On the Empire's Best services the bookings were " exceedingly good" and, if anything, slightly better than at previous August bank-holiday periods. The Thanet Express traffic was 'definitely better," whilst the patronage of the Blue Belle services Was "infinitely better than last year."
Coach operators in the North-West enjoyed a highly successful Bank Holiday week-end, taking Blackpool as the barometer. Period bookings were normal, but the fine weather ensured excellent returns from .day-excursion traffic. On Saturday, Sunday and Monday 4,584 coaches entered Blackpool.