Amos appeal refused
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TRANSPORT Secretary Nicholas Ridley has rejected the appeal by "Associated Minibus Operators Ltd" (AMOS) to run a minibus service on four routes crossing Central London.
Mr Ridley told MPs that the proposal was based on the use of leasing associates who would operate the minibuses on routes allocated to them by AMOS.
But for the proposed services to be operated within the law, the individual leasing associates would each require London bus agreements. Therefore any agreement given to AMOS would not authorise the provision of the proposed services.
"I have therefore concluded that I cannot properly require London Transport to enter into an agreement with AMOS," he said.
However, Mr Ridley did say that the proposal contained many "innovative and ingenious" ideas for new kinds of public transport in London.
AMOS, the brainchild of former Hong Kong Traffic Corn missioner Anthony Shepherd, originally applied to London Transport for a licence in October 1982.
That application was turned down in March last year. The appeal, heard by Vice-Admiral Sir Stephen Berthon, was heard at the end of last year. ViceAdmiral Berthon said the appeal should be dismissed. The dismissal of the appeal was widely expected although Mr Ridley's rejection on legal grounds disguised considerable disquiet within the Department at the quality of the proposal.