Bussing in style
Page 24
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
During the past few months poor old National Bus has been taking a hammering from all directions about its financial troubles and planned cut-backs in services.
Not surprising then if they should be getting a 'bit punch drunk and suffering from lack of confidence. And it showed at the opening of a £400,000 modernisation scheme at the Luton depot of United Counties.
For the Under-Secretary of State at the DoE, Mr Neil Carmichael, was performing the ceremony and National was determined that nothing would be allowed to go wrong. The main worry was the Itrip from the depot to a local hotel for the celebratory reception. The company obviously had to use National coaches, but wasn't trusting the vehicles that usually run from Luton. So two gleaming white new coaches were 'brought in from another depot miles away for the 10-minute trip. Not content with that, and just to be on the safe side, a third coach ran empty -behind the official party to the hotel. But then I suppose that coaches to National are just like pencils to a reporter. Indeed, our representative at theopening had a good example of this. To his shame be arrived late after losing a battle with London traffic.
When he arrived at Luton it was to 'be told that the dignitaries had just left for the hotel. "Not to worry, though, we will lay on some transport for you," said a helpful receptionist. And National Bus did — a 40-seat single-decker which wisked our man off in isolated splendour.