• METROPOLITAN TRAFFIC COMMISSIONER ADVISES COACH OPERATORS
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M.H.C.S.A.'s Work for the Industry Explained at an Open Meeting AN open meeting of operators was convened at Olympia, last Monday afternoon, by the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association. The chair was occupied by the president of the Association, Mr. H. T. Rickards, and Major J. B. Elliott, the chairman, reviewed the work of the M.H.C.S.A.
He pointed out that, at the instance of the Association, certain provisions were inserted in the London Passenger Transport Act to safeguard the interests of members, The Association was actively supporting the British Road Federation, which was urging the authorities to issue short-period Road Fund licences, even for one day.
Major Elliott dealt extensively with the now-famous Grey Coaches case, and explained how the Minister of Transport had considerably modified the original harsh proposals with regard to
London coach services. The Association had opposed various applications for licences where it felt that the interests of its members were not served, particularly in the case of applications by railway companies for permission to operate road services between any two points on their systems.
The speaker dealt with matters of fares, and summarized the work of the deputation to the Minister of Transport. He mentioned that legislation was to be introduced to amend the section of the Road Traffic Act concerned with contract carriages. The Minister had promised to give consideration to a suggestion that road-service licences should be issued for periods up to a maximum of three years.
Considerable interest was created by the presence of Mr. Gleeson Robinson, the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner. who spoke concisely on the subject of individual and co-operative efficiency. He emphasized the importance of giving close attention to passenger comfort, remarking upon the considerable publicity value of satisfied customers and employees. We are not sure whether all those present were convinced when Mr. Robinson said that licence conditions were framed to assist operatorsl The speaker criticized the use of trial-and-error methods in coach operation, and pointed to the value of scientific study in the business. Mr. Robinson denied that the small men were at a great disadvantage, as compared with large concerns, because the former had their associations to help them.
He remarked that, although costing had been reduced to a fine art in most trades, coach operators voted, at meetings of Regional Fares Committees, for the particular fares system which they favoured, without having extensive detail data. In conclusion, he stressed the importance of skilful publicity by means of articles in magazines and local newspapers.
This subject was taken up by Mr. Balls of Greenly's, Ltd., a concern of publicity specialists, who spoke for rather More than an hour on the need for co-operative advertising.
Owing to the protracted nature of the proceedings, Councillor Clifford Thomas was obliged to cut short his appeal for increased support for the Association, And this to a somewhat depleted audience.