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Scottish Bus Transport in War-time

24th August 1940, Page 30
24th August 1940
Page 30
Page 30, 24th August 1940 — Scottish Bus Transport in War-time
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

PARADOXICALLY, war-time conditions have revealed how faithfully the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., and its associated companies had fulfilled their peace-time obligations of service to the community, states Mr. W. A. Woolward, the S.M.T. publicity

manager. It is true, he adds, that the frequency of most services has been reduced, but, aided by informatory propaganda, the travelling public would seem to have appreciated the difficulties of the time and there are few complaints.

The long-distaoce bus services have been curtailed, and most serious of these is the enforced suspension of the Edinburgh-London express service. Instructions for this suspension were given to the company by the Regional Transport Commissioner. Meanwhile, the two-day luxury coach service between Edinburgh and London will maintain its normal operation during the summer months, but only the westcoast route will be used.

The disturbing factor remains the peak periods—the rush to business and the homeward exodus. These periods are troublesome alike to the public and

to the S.M.T., which must use precious fuel for full fleets of buses which, in one direction or the other, travel completely empty. The eventual solution undoubtedly lies in the " staggering " of business hours. When fuel is so precious it is right that this question should receive more thorough inspection.

Experiments with both gas and gasproducer units were started in the early days of the war and continue. Unfortunately, although the gasproducer has been found efficient for commercial and goods transport, it has not so far been found completely satisfactory for buses maintaining strict time schedules.

Should there be further and continued reduction in oil-fuel supplies, however, it is more than possible that alternative fuels will eventually be used, despite the disadvantages in loss of power, and consequent lengthening of journey times, decrease of frequency, etc. Until late spring, no decision could be obtained as to the possibility of additional fuel for the heavier summer travel. When such a grant was made, however, S.M.T. announced a greatly curtailed programme of tours, consisting of 11 extended. tours from London, with four extended and 26 day tours from Edinburgh. All tour routes are in Scotland and three out of the four extended tours from Edinburgh enter the protected north-west area, where permits are required by the passengers.

Unless the course of the War changes too drastically to permit of continuance, this curtailed programme will continue to operate according to the baffle demands, and it is appreciated that much of Scotland's tourist industry is dependent on the provision of facilities such as these.

Greater stress must be laid, however, on the maintenance of regular services which have a holiday aspect. Each summer the traffic on such services as Edinburgh to North Berwick or Dunbar, to the Borders, etc., rises to a phenomenal degree. It is felt that this year, no less than any other, the public is seeking brief respite at seaside • and inland resorts, and that the S.M.T. services fulfil a duty of national importance in making these recreational trips easily and cheaply possible.

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