Varsity term-only service rusticated
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result of abstraction would still be effective out of term when the Finglands' service would not be available to the public.
Earlier, GMT's divisional service manager Keith Ludeman had said that a survey at off peak times had shown that GMT was likely to lose traffic worth some £29,655 to Finglands, giving a total loss of revenue at peak and off peak of around £60,000 a year.
Mr Ludeman believed that a private operator using the same bus stops as GMT would cause resentment among its drivers who might feel their jobs were at risk.
The Commissioners replied that under no circumstances would they allow passengers to be put at risk by the misbehaviour of drivers, and would have no hesistation in revoking licences if that proved to be the case.
Questioned by Mr Hutchings, Mr Ludeman agreed that £60,000 was only 0.01 per cent of GMT's total fare box revenue, but said that students crosssubsidised many unremunerative operations which had enabled GMT to leave that group of services untouched by service cuts over a number of years.
If the estimated losses proved accurate, the peak-hour services and possibly Sunday services would be subject to review and possible withdrawal.
Finglands' managing director Colin Bunning claimed that GMT would make substitution services if his company was able to relieve it of some of the peak hour burden and the public would enjoy lower fares.
Asked about the imposition of a fares condition to ensure the proposed service operated at GMT's fare levels, Mr Bunning asked why the public should be asked to pay half as much again when a private operator could operate profitably without subsidy at a fare of 20p.
It is understood that Fing lands are considering an appeal or of a fresh application for a licence for a service operating throughout the year.