FORTH BRIDGE BIDS GRANTED
Page 43
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THE simultaneous applications by Scottish Omnibuses Ltd. and Walter Alexander and Sons (Fife) Ltd. for stage services via the new Forth road bridge, to Alloa, Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy and Leven, have been granted by the Scottish Traffic Commissioners, hut with a limit of six vehicles at each departure time.
Mr. W. F. Quin, chairman of the Commissioners, recalled that this application had been first made last year and then was considered premature, as other companies might also wish to apply. There had been no other applications, except for tours.
A statement of British Railways policy was made by Mr. E. Ashby, commercial manager, East Coast division. The ,railways recognised that there would be a demand for road passenger services across the new bridge, he said, but they already provided an excellent diesel service which was not overtaxed, at fares which were comparable with those proposed by the applicants, and with superior timing. The rail service was now four trains per hour.
Improvements and additions had been
made as necessary, went on Mr. Ashby. the new road services would be comparable in frequency to those already operated by British Railways; the proposed road services phrs existing B.R. services would provide services in total greatly in excess of requirements. If opening of the road bridge services had the effect of abstracting traffic from the railways then B.R. would have to decide whether to maintain the services now provided.
For Scottish Omnibuses and Alexander. Mr. Archibald Ross, assistant traffic manager of Scottish Omnibuses, said that the effect of the proposals would be to provide five services effective from the opening date: one to Alloa, two to Dunfermline (one of which would go directly by the Bridge approach road and the other via South Queensferry), the Leven-Kirkcaldy route would have an hourly service to Leven daily, and half hourly to Kirkcaldy with summer variations. The time-table would be experimental, said Mr. Ross, and adjusted in the light of experience. Duplication on an unlimited basis was asked for on behalf of the applicants.