Will LT run own coaches?
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LONDON TRANSPORT is investigating the opportunities for a luxury coach unit using leased vehicles, but has still to take a decision on whether it will go ahead.
It wants to meet the increase in competition facing its sightseeing tours in and around London and to increase the revenue earned from contract and private hire work.
Were it to go ahead. LT would lease rather than buy coaches, and it is keen to have them maintained by the lessor rather than on its own premises. It is known to be interested in using Daf MB200 mid-engined coaches for this work.
LT already has agreement from the unions to allow individual areas to operate excursions if they have the capacity.
It has run a private hire office and carried on the business of providing contract carriages mainly using coaches hired from private operators for many years.
In 1982 the receipts from this activity amounted to £176,000 although, once hire charges and internal administration costs were met only £20,000 was contributed to the revenue account.