Major operators should consult with smaller companies
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• The Secretary of State for the Environment, Mr Geoffrey Rippon, has stated in a written decision of an appeal against an application by Eastern Counties Omnibus Co Ltd that although he was well aware of the need for bus services to be regularly reviewed in the light of changing demand and operational factors he is concerned that Major operators should not undertake such reviews without the fullest consideration for. and consultation with, lesser operators contributing to public transport facilities in the area.
The appeal against Eastern Counties came from A. Towler and Sons Ltd and related to a decision by the Eastern Traffic Commissioners to allow Eastern Counties to reduce the frequency and vary the route of its stage service between Bury St Edmunds and Brandon/Thetford. This service had hitherto been operated five days a week between Bury and Brandon via Thetford and Elvedon but it was reduced by the variation to one journey each way between Bury and Thetford via Elvedon and Brandon on Monday. Thursday and Saturday, with an additional service on Friday between Bury and Thetford via Elvedon only. The service to Brandon was extended to provide a town service there.
The appellant. Towler. already operated a Friday service between Brandon and Thetford and a town service in Brandon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The company argued on appeal that Eastern Counties had not produced any evidence for need for its new services, in particular for the direct route from Brandon to Thetford, and the Commissioners had thus failed to have due regard to need as a statutory licensing criterion. There was also insufficent evidence to justify the new town service in Brandon.
Eastern Counties argued Ina Luc service alterations had resulted as a general reorganization designed to match its resources more closely to prevailing demand. A number of services had been withdrawn to the advantage of the appellant and by excluding Brandon from its Friday service the possibility of consequent abstraction from the appellant had been minimized. Towler disputed the relevance of this, however, when the proper consideration was the a uestion of need.
The Secretary of State agreed with the views of his inspector that Eastern Counties had established a need for a better service in Brandon and the new service from Brandon to Thetford, and the appeal was dis missed.