SINGLE TRAFFIC AUTHORIT'
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A SINGLE authority laying down 1-1 common principles which all authorities_were obliged to adopt was suggested by Mr. W. M. Dravers, chairman of the Public Transport Association, as a possible solution to the growing problem of urban traffic congestion. Mr. Dravers was speaking at the association's annual dinner last week. Dr. Beeching, who was guest of honour at the dinner, also referred to the problem of urban traffic, suggesting that combined studies were needed to find a solution.
This followed naturally from Dr. Beeching's earlier remarks, in which he reminded the association that rail and road were competing against each other for passenger traffic, but that both had a common enemy—the private car. He went on to say that he believed in competition as well as co-ordination or rationalization. His definition of rationalization was "not running two forms of transport where there was insufficient traffic for one ". On the question of rural transport Dr. Beeching admitted that bus operators would run into increasing difficulties with the problem of crosssubsidization. With urban traffic, however, the railways had the great advantage of freedom from traffic congestion.
There was a feeling of uncertainty at the dinner, caused partly by the change of government, and largely by the Budget. This was reflected in-the opening remarks by Mr. •Dravers, who commented that it had been quite a 24 hours. The additional 6d. on fuel tax was deplorable, he said, and he had greeted this news with a feeling of despair. This later turned to bewilderment and, finally, when he thought a way was being found to relieve the buses of the additional 6d., hope. Now he was back halfway between bewilderment and despair, following conjecture in the newspapers as to how this relief might be given.
Mr. Dravers said that there were three ways in which rationalization might be achieved: co-ordination in which bus meets train; integration; and common control. He remarked about a side-swipe Dr. Beeching had made at long-distance coaches and agreed that they could not compete with the railways on time; they did compete on fares. Passengers should not be denied the choice between road, rail or air, he thought. It behoved them all to do whatever they could to improve the service and closer liaison was all to the good if it became necessary.
A new Minister of Transport had now