Uneconomical Bus Service Withdrawn O DMAM MOTOR SERVICES LTD. is losing
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2d. a mile on its bus . service between Odiham and Basingstoke,
• South Eastern Traffic Commissioners were told last week, when the company applied to discontinue three of five daily services which it operates between the two towns.
Mr. Charles Stacey, managing director of Odiharn Motor Services, said that on one of the early morning services—the 7.10 a.m.—the average number of passengers was 10 to 13. " If this variation is granted," said Mr. Stacey, "I hope we shall possibly break even."
Questioned by the chairman of the Commissioners, Mr. H. J. Thom, he said the service was being subsidized by his other activities, including a petrol station and car hire service. It was becoming increasingly difficult to continue the service and if his application were not
granted, he would have to consider its entire withdrawal or a fares increase.
Objecting to the proposal on behalf of Hartley Wintney Rural. District Council, Mr. H. C. K. Broadhurst said they were conscious of the difficulties of operators in rural areas, but wanted to draw to the attention of the Cornmissioners the inconvenience 'which would arise from cuts in the service.
Granting the application, the chairman said no hope could be held out for the future that in rural areas there would not be further decreased in facilities. There was a steady falling off of traffic, some due to increased fares, but mostlydue to the use of private transport.
" Our experience shows that the fares of rural services are as high as traffic will bear. Therefore any further increase will simply mean killing the service slowly or not so slowly," he went on.