The Rail and Canal Traffic Act of 1854 was passed to maintain a degree of competitiveness between rail and canal systems. It obliged railway companies to carry any cargo offered to it at a nationally agreed charge, which was usually well below a rate necessary to make the operation profitable for the railways.
It wasn't removed until 1953 but would its earlier removal after WW1 when large numbers of trucks started to become available as competition have helped the railways?
What impact would an earlier removal or the 'common carrier' requirement from the railways have had on road transport?
I understand there was also a heavy tax on road vehicles over 2.5 tons.
So what if after WW1 the common carrier law was removed but there was not the excessive tax on road vehicles?
It wasn't removed until 1953 but would its earlier removal after WW1 when large numbers of trucks started to become available as competition have helped the railways?
What impact would an earlier removal or the 'common carrier' requirement from the railways have had on road transport?
I understand there was also a heavy tax on road vehicles over 2.5 tons.
So what if after WW1 the common carrier law was removed but there was not the excessive tax on road vehicles?
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