All in the public interest
Page 16
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THE energy crisis and overcrowding at London Airport were two reasons given by the South Wales Traffic Commissioners for turning down an application by a travel agent to run his own coach service.
Trowbridge Charter Booking Services Ltd, of Kingswood, Bristol, applied for an express carriage licence to operate between Cardiff and Gatwick and Heathrow via Newport and Bristol.
Mr Colin Arnold James, a director of the company, said the service would be confined to passengers booked for flights to North America.
He agreed that he had been using a coach in contravention of the regulations but had been under the impression that as the service was not advertised, it was permissible to charge individual fares. He now wished to regularise the position and in the meantime passengers were being carried without charge.
Mr Roger Craddick, appearing for a number of objectors on both sides of the Bristol Channel, submitted that the company had flagrantly flouted the law and had shown itself unfit to hold a licence. In addition, sufficient services were already available.
Turning down the application, the chairman, Mr Ronald R. Jackson, said the Commissioners' first considerations were need and the public interest.