Excluded from Three-year Talks
Page 33
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nESPITE vigorous protests by A.A. I-, Motor Services, Ltd., the Scottish Traffic Commissioners last week approved. proposals agreed between the Western S.M.T. Co., Ltd., and Al Motor Services, Ltd., for the revision of bus services between Kilmarnock-Ardrossan and Kilmarnock-Irvine.
The proposals, affecting routes which had been described as "over-bussed," were the outcome of three years of negotiation. Mr. G. Ramsay, traffic manager of Western S.M.T., said that they were advanced in the interests of economical .working and were without detriment to the public. The effect would be that there would be six buses an hour instead of eight on the routes, with a coordinated 10-minute service.
"Everything is against our firm throughout the whole operation," protested Mr. W. Dodds, head of A.A. The proposed timetables would mean that of every three Western S.M.T. or Al buses, two would he a minute ahead of an A.A. bus.
Mr. J. Gallic., for A.A., said that his clients had never been consulted about
services On the routes although they were of vital interest. At certain stages, A.A. had previously had a three-minute headway and would. now have a six-minute leeway. Moreover, Western S.M.T. intended to become late-night operators whereas A.A. had held the monopoly of such services.
Mr. W. Quin, chairman, suggested an adjournment for discussion between the operators, but Mr. Dodds decided to sustain his objections. Mr. Quin observed that whilst he urged operators to coordinate. it was evident that Mr. Dodds, had he been invited to discussions, would have gone unwillingly.
It was unfortunate, the chairman added, that someone must suffer in the Cause of co-ordination. It might well be that if Mr. Dodds' expectations were accurate he .could return and give concrete evidence of hurt.
A.A. sought to extend a late Saturdaynight Ayr-Bridgegate service to Ardrossan for the benefit of dancers.. Western S.M.T. and Al opposed the application, and it was turned down for tack of suppOrting evidence.