Warning on Rural Bus Services
Page 49
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THE time had come whet all
operators must consider the curtailment of rural services. It was not right for an operator to jeopardize his whole position by running rural bus services at a loss_ This was said by Mr. H. W. B. Richards, managing director of Salopia Saloon Coaches, Ltd.. Whitchurch, at a conference on bus services in rural areas organized by -the Shropshire Association of Parish Councils.
The conference agreed to send to their national association and to the Minister of Transport a resblution calling for the removal of tax on oil fuel used by public service vehicles "in order to make rural bus services reasonably economical and at the same time stop the drift of population from the country areas."
Mr. Richards said that his company's traffic had been falling at the rate of 20,000-25,000 passengers a year over the past five years. On some routes they were running at a loss of 4d. a mile, whilst other routes were bringing in revenue of only 6d.-7d. a mile.
Mr. R. Brandon, traffic manager of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd.; said that unremunerative services were costing his company 000.000 a year.
CONTESTED TAKE-OVER TO CONTINUE
PLANS to take over the bus service along New Oscott and Walsall Road, at present operated by the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., are to be pursued by Birmingham Transport Committee despite opposition by Conservative members. The company have accepted notices of the corporation's intention to take over the services to the boundary, on the understanding that the remaining services which the company run within the city shall not be taken over for a further five years.
'I here is no qurarel between the two political groups on the committee over the principle that the city should control all services within its boundaries, but the Conservatives say that the time is not ripe to do so in view of the bus undertaking's financial position and the shortage of nearly 600 platform staff.
SERVICE TO CONTINUE A STAGE service running between Ashington and Longhirst Drift, via Newhiggin and Lynemouth, granted to Wansbeck Motor Services, Ltd., by the Northern Traffic Commissioners, is to remain. The Minister of Transport has rejected, with costs, an appeal against the grant made by Bedlinaton and District Luxury Coaches, Ltd.
The appeal was heard by a Ministry of Transport inspector. Mr. J. M. Glen, at Newcastle upon Tyne on September 25.