Independent defeats SBG
Page 15
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AN INDEPENDENT operator has been preferred to a Scottish Bus Group subsidiary for the operation of two new stage services on the grounds that it can operate the services more economically.
Ayrshire Bus Owners (Al Service) and the SBG's Western SMT had both applied for services from Dundonald to Irvine New Town and the North Ayrshire District Hospital.
The Scottish Traffic Commissioners said that both operators had identified a need for the services at about the same time and there was understandable resentment by Western about an incursion into its long established territory by a competitor with whom it had operated in a co-ordinated fashion for many years. However, the Commissioners were not in the business of deciding spheres of influence.
They accepted that there was not room for two operators on the routes. To grant both applications would be harmful to both operators and to the public interest.
Al had convinced the Commissioners that it would provide the cheaper solution since it would be diverting existing services with only the additional marginal costs of extra mileage. Western's proposals on the other hand would involve much higher mileage and the introduction of some fresh resources.
Restricting the grant to one year the Commissioners added that there ought to be a real effort by the operators supported by Strathclyde Regional Council (including SBG) to narrow any possible area of argument before coming before the Commissioners.