Minister upholds coach appeal
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SCOTTISH HOLIDAYMAKERS heading for Morecambe and Blackpool this summer will have a wider choice of travel services thanks to the decision by the Minister of Transport, Norman Fowler, to uphold an appeal by a private coach firm. D. Scott MacPhail, a private Scottish coach operator, appealed to the Minister when the Scottish Traffic Commissioners refused to grant him a road service licence to operate express services to the two seaside resorts during the summer.
Scott MacPhail, which already operates excursions from Newarthill, Motherwell and Bellshill to Blackpool and Morecambe. wished to introduce a new scheduled express service between the same points on summer Saturdays and to Blackpool at the Easter and Scottish September Holiday weekend. But the Central and VVestern Scottish Motor Transport Companies, National Travel (West) Ltd, Parks of Hamilton and the British Railways Board objected and the licence was refused.
Commenting on the Minister's decision, Kenneth Clarke.
Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, said: -It is in the public interest to have the widest choice of transport services that can be provided and maintained particularly where there is public demand or need. The public would be much better served by allowing operators to provide the services people want at prices they can afford. "This case was decided on the basis of the present passenger transport laws. Under the new Transport Bill, many bus and coach services, including express services like these, will not need to go before Traffic Commissioners for road service licences.