• There has been a "marked improvement" in the reliability
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of bus services run on behalf of London Regional Transport, according to its performance review for the first quarter of 1987.
During the first three months of the year distances covered improved to 93.5% of the schedules, while on high-frequency services the average waiting time was just over seven minutes — the same as the corresponding period in 1986.
The punctuality of low frequency services, however, fell by 3% to 61%. The survey reports that London Buses' recent recruitment drive has helped to reduce the amount of distance lost through staff shortages, although some garages are still finding it difficult to recruit drivers.
The current dispute involving LBL engineering continued to affect bus availability, but to a reduced extent: "Some tendered services have also been hit by staff problems," says the report.
London Buses' TGWU members have suspended their industrial action pending the outcome this week of a High Court hearing. The TGWU is opposed to London Buses competitive tendering plans.
• Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive is to spend 2600,000 on a new bus depot for the centre of Newcastle. The new premises will replace a temporary budding currently near the proposed site in New Bridge Street Newcastle.
• Eastern Scottish has taken delivery of four TL11powered Leyland Tiger 12metre coaches fitted with Hestair Duple 340SL bodies. Two will be used on general coaching the third on intercity shuttles.