Western S.M.T. and McGill's Start New Fight
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first round of a new struggle to Tisupply passenger services in the Barrhead-Paisley area, between Western S.M.T. Co., Ltd., and McGill's Bus Services, Ltd., took place before the Scottish Traffic Commissioners at Glasgow last week. Since Glasgow Transport Department withdrew tram services in 1956, there have been a series of applications and an appeal concerning bus services in the Barrhead and Paisley districts of Glasgow.
Focal point of the new hearings was Glasgow Corporation's project to build 1,100 houses at South Nitshill. near the Barrhead boundary. Western S.M.T. applied to vary an existing route, involving one vehicle per hour, to run via Parkhouse Road. McGill's application was for new services from Spiers Bridge to Paisley St. James, and Spiers Bridge to Renfrew Ferry, and for the variation of the Barrhead-Paisley St. James service,
Mr. G. D. Ramsey, Western S.M.T.'s assistant traffic manager, told Mr. J. B. T. Louden, who represented the company, that it was his company's policy to look after new housing residents.
Mr. C. H. Johnson, Q.C., for McGill's, pointed out that the company had, in the past, sought a route including Parkhouse Road. He stressed the desirability of a through service from Spiers Bridge to Renfrew Ferry. If the Western S.M.T. application were granted passengers would still have to change.
He suggested that the application should be heard in conjunction with that by McGill's, but Mr. W. F. Quin, chairman, ruled that the case should continue as an entity.
Mr. Quin reserved decision on the Western S.M.T. application and opened McGill's case, He heard a claim that McGill's were in a stronger position than ever because of the housing development. Mr. Louden suggested that McGill's had no interest in the area, but Mr. Quin ruled that the existing operator was one " along or near a given route." He said that McGill's could undoubtedly apply and state their case. They were supported by Cllr. Richard Henry on behalf of Barrhead Council and by Maj. Snowball of the Salvation Army. The case was adjourned.