23.62p a mile running costs in the Borders
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I Private operators may be asked to take )ver some of the services in the Border .t.ounties ran by Scottish Omnibuses Ltd for which local authorities contribute subsidies, Berwickshire county council learned last week.
"We are faced with a cost per mile of 13.62p based on the average running costs )f Scottish Omnibuses," said Bailie DT Brian Sprule, of Coldstream, who reported that the council was negotiating with the company about the subsidy for five routes. 'My argument is that buses in the Borders cost less than in the cities. .. I do not see why we should be charged for this."
The county council agreed that a special ;lib-committee should prepare a report for he finance committee and members of the :ducation and social work committees are o discuss the matter fully.
A disappointing response from private verators in the past when asked to run ertain routes was reported by Mr Kenneth Candish, the county clerk. Bailie Sprule suggested that one of the problems facing private operators in connection with school transport was that they were given a contract for only one year.