Operating Aspects of
Page 76
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
PASSENGER TRANSPORT
INITIAL steps to overhaul and speed lup the machinery for dealing with variations in fares were taken at a meeting of coach operators, convened by the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association, in London, last Friday. Mr. Gerald Nowell took the chair.
It was explained that, at present, the chairman, convener, and two elected representatives of the various Regional Fares Committees sat on the Central Fares Committee and, when it was last sought to make a general variation of fares, nine months elapsed before the proposals were given effect. In most cases the companies employing the conveners of the Committee defray the expense of the meetings, so that operators are placed in a delicate position in seeking frequent conferences.
On the suggestion of Mr. Eric Monkman (Keith and Boyle [London], Ltd.), it was unanimously agreed, at last Friday's meeting, that the Regional Fares Committees and the Central Committee should hold a minimum of two meetings per year, and that, for the next 12 months at any rate, one should take place at the end of November and the other at the end of February. The former meeting would be concerned mainly with summer fares and the latter with winter charges.
It was also unanimously agreed that the Central Comnaittee should be requested to hold a meeting 14 days after the date of the last Regional Committee meeting.
A resolution was passed to the effect that a Regional Committee should, with hi 28 days, hold an emergency meeting upon the receipt of a requisition signed by an operator and approved by an organization representing public-service-vehicle owners.
Another resolution was passed to deal with the question of the cost of meetings. It was decided that P.S.V. Operators, Ltd., should be asked to agree, at its next annual general meeting (to be held shortly), to meet part of the expenses of the Regional Committees.
An operatoi who is not a member of the P.S.V. organization could make a donation through that concern, or an association, or could make payment direct to the convener.
The Traffic Commissioners are to be advised of the revised machinery for seeking revisions of fares. They are to be asked to give effect without delay to unanimous decisions of the Committees, and, in cases where there is division of opinion upon a recommendation, to hold, at an early date, a public sitting to investigate the *matter.
A further resolution was carried t o the effect that summer fares on all coastal express services should, for 1935, come into force on the Friday before Whitsun and continue until the second Sunday in September.
The question of cheap day excursions to combat railway competition was also discussed, but no decision was reached, although certain werators wished to explore the matter further.
The need for these steps to speed up variations of fares was emphasized in our issue dated September 28.