Names and Addresses of "Lost" Customers Must be Given
Page 47
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SIX of the eight applications for authorization to vary his express service licences, made by Mr. E. G. Hewitt (Premier Omnibus 'Co.), Watford, have been refused by the Metropolitan Deputy Lic en sin g Authority.
Mr. Hewitt has been given permission to run a new express service from Watford to Herne Bay, and to alter the tinting of his evening servite. tO South. end, but his proposal to add a vehicle to his services to Margate, Yarmouth and Clacton, and to extend the Period . of operation of the Bournemouth. Briehton and Bognor services; has been unsuccessful.
As reported last Week, the applications were opposed by Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., :Valliant Direct Coaches, Ltd!, United Counties Omnibus Co.. Ltd., and British RailwaYs, 2,255 Refused Seats in a written decision, the Deputy Authority, Mr. C. J. Macdonald, commented that Mr. Hewitt had provided, in support of his applications; documents showing that 2,255 persons were refused seats in -1955 on six of the services. It was normal, in producing
• evidence of that character, to provide 4 list of• the names and addresses of persons whose needs could not he satisfied.
I do not think it would be unreasonable to expect an applicant to produce at the time of the imattirYelisfs , of names and ad.dresseS for the information of all concerned," • said Mr.
• Macdonald . It • was • important where more than one operator was conc.erned.
Mr. Macdonald also expressed surprise that out of more than 2,000
refused' persons. the applicant • din
not find it possible to produce a stronger 'selection of witnesses. If the Majority of those persons did not in fact find altertaative satisfactory transport, one expected a more clamant voice in support of the proposals foradditional services.
There was an element of partisan feeling in support of the-applieant and against other operators, including the "railways, which was not 'unfamiliar. .
Referring to the _applications in respect of Yarmouth and Clacton, Mr. Macdonald said he did not think it 'would be right to ignore the services, not fully used, provided by Valliant, With their agents in the Watford area and their picking-up point at Wealdstone,
Receipts Down He was impressed bY the fact, that since the Bournemouth service had been authorized to Mr. Hewitt, the receipts of the United Counties service had declined, and he was not prepared to submit that service to further cornPetition.
Mr. Hewitt was also granted permission to vary his licence in respect of a number of excursions and tours. There was, however, no "convincing case" for adding in the list of seaside resorts already served.