Highlands Must Keep Bus Services
Page 45
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I T is essential that Highland bus services should be kept running, so the big companies who have the plum services must accept some unremunerative operations. This was stated last week by Mr. Alex Robertson, deputy chairman of the Scottish Traffic Commissioners, when W. Alexander and Son, Ltd., asked for the removal of a condition governing their stage-carriage service between Banff and Turriff.
For Alexander's, Mr. A. R. Currie said the licence was granted_ in 1950 after requests that a service should deviate from the main road to serve villages between Banff and Turriff. At that time business was good and a duplicate bus was able to do the journeys, but in JuneJuly this year receipts were only 5d. a mile compared with operating costs of 22d. a mile.
The condition on the licence was aimed at protecting Hay's Motor Services, Elgin, but they were already protected by the timings of Alexander's vehicles.
For Hay's, Mr. W. D. Connochie claimed that Alexander's had been picking-up in the restricted area and had stopped only when the Commissioners were informed. Now that traffic was declining, Hay's needed this protection more than ever. If Alexander's withdrew their service, which might happen, Hay's would be prepared to take over part of the route, leaving only about three miles of it uncovered.
After being told that Hay's were barely paying their way, which meant that further abstraction would be serious, Mr. Robertson said the application would be refused.
COAL CARRIER WARNED ' ABOUT THE FUTURE
A HAULIER who claimed that carry ing coal was such good business that he was now exclusively engaged on this work was warned at Leeds, last week, that he might shortly find himself in difficulties. Maj. F. S. Eastwood, Yorkshire Licensing Authority, pointed out that developments were in hand which might mean a change in the coal trade's methods of transport.
The haulier, Mr. H. Miles, Granton Road, Leeds, was applying to substitute a 10-ton vehicle for the 5-tonner at present being operated on B licence. He did not produce any evidence and the hearing was adjourned.
Mai. Eastwood commented: "1 should be very interested to read a letter from the coal factors supporting your application in the light of present developments."
[Maj. Eastwood was referring to power-station.coal. See page 184.] DUPLE-WILLOWBROOK DEAL
AS holders of more than 90 per cent, of the shares of Willowbrook, Ltd., have accepted the offer of Duple Motor Bodies, Ltd., to acquire the company's capital, the deal has become unconditional. Willowbrook's issued capital is being bought at 2s. a share.