Monopoly to go in Perth?
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THE SCOTTISH Bus Group may lose its monopoly of Perth city services following Tayside Region transport committee's decision to empower convener W. Scott Ferguson to negotiate the ending of an agreement between the region and SBG-owned Alexander (Midland).
Under the terms of a 1934 agreement, Perth Corporation had the right at certain dates to resume the working of its former bus services in the area on giving 12 months' notice to Alexander. This agreement was inherited by Tayside in 1975.
Public transport director Neil Townend said that the 1980 Transport Act and the 1981 Pub lic Passenger Vehicle Act made it clear there should be no local legislation which would protect a monopoly, so Alexander would not need to surrender their road services licences.
Officials felt the most positive course of action would be to negotiate voluntary termination of the agreement with the SBG. This would allow Alexander to continue operating.
It would, however, remove the restrictions on the regional council and, if considered desirable at any later date, road service licences would be applied for or support could be given to other operators willing to apply to the Traffic Commissioners.