HC Deb 24 July 1946 vol 426 cc41-3
The Minister of Transport (Mr. Barnes)

The House will remember that on 8th July I announced the partial restoration of cheap fares on the main line railways. I am able now to announce that about the end of September the London Passenger Transport Board will introduce the following facilities on their Green Line coach services on the basis of return journey for single fare plus one half.

  1. (1) Cheap day return fares to Central London on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and , Thursdays, subject to a minimum fare of 2s. These tickets will be available on coaches arriving in London after 10.30 a.m., and for return on coaches leaving London before 4.30 p.m., or after 6.30 p.m.
  2. (2) Cheap day return tickets from Central London on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays available on any coach on the day of issue. Minimum fare 2s.
  3. (3) Weekly season tickets available for six return journeys, one on each weekday, at the cost of six cheap day return fares, subject to a minimum charge of 12s., without restriction as to the time of travel.
The scope of cheap fare facilities on the coaches is necessarily limited for the present as the margins of coach accommodation are small and the Board have no spare vehicles with which to increase the services.

I should not be justified in introducing cheap fares generally on the Board's railways having regard to the relatively low level of their ordinary fares, but to provide for juveniles a facility parallel with that provided by the main line railways, the Board will, from 1st August, issue cheap day return tickets to juvenile parties by prior arrangement. The return fare will be single fare plus one half, subject to a minimum single fare of 9d. for accompanying adults and 4½d. for juveniles. The other conditions applying to these tickets will be similar to those applying to juvenile party tickets on the main line railways.

Mr. C. S. Taylor

During the holiday season would not the Minister consider introducing cheap fares to the holiday resorts?

Mr. Barnes

That has already been provided for by the announcement I read in connection with the main line railways.

Mr. Marlowe

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what will be the cost of a return ticket to Bexley?

Mr. Barnes

If the hon. and learned Gentleman will make inquiries he will very soon ascertain.

Mr. H. D. Hughes

As these Green Line coaches are used by a large number of people for rambling at the weekend, which is the only time when they are free, will the Minister consider extending these cheap fares to weekends at the earliest possible opportunity?

Mr. Barnes

Yes, certainly, at the earliest possible opportunity.