MOTORBUS SYSTEMS IN BANFFSHIRE.
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What Has Been Done to Provide the Inhabitants of a Number of Remote Coastal Villages with Road Travel Facilities.
FIVI] or six years ago travelling was not such an easy matter in Buckle, Beckpool, Portgordon, Cullen and other coast places in Banffshire as it is to-day. Thanks to the enterprise of
two firms who introduced motorbuses, however, the facilities for travelling by road are now excellent. One of these is Messrs. Miller, Buckle, who, fire years ago, instituted a bus service with one vehicle having a seating capacity for 20 passengers: Having decided to extend their field of operations, Messrs. Miller secured extra vehicles, and they now have four buses, one being a Reo and another a W. and G.
One of Messrs. Miller's buses runs every half-hour daily from Buckle to Portgordon village, about two miles westwards. En route, the bus passes the fishing village of Buckpool, where it takes on board passengers, either on the outward or the return journey. Two other buses coverS a longer route from Buckle to Cullen, a distance of six miles or so, passing the districts of Porteasie, Findochty and Portknockic. This is an • excellent seaside run, as passengers are affordbd a splendid view of the beautiful coast scenery, and of the Cullen golf course. The fishing town of Cullen, it may be mentioned, is a notable resort, possessing, as it does, a fine sandy beach.
As has been previously mentioned in The Commercial Motor, the Elgin and
District Bus Co., Ltd.—a Morayshire company—also run buses from Buckle to Portgordon and Cullen. The travelling public in Buckle and district, therefore, may well coakeider that their needs are met by the present efficient and up-to-date bus systems.
For nearly five years Messrs. Miller have maintained a inotorbus service from Buckle to Pochabers and on to Keith, the total distance covered being about twelve miles. This service has been well patronized by the Recently, the firm commenced a daily service on the same route and it is paaving of special value in view of the fact that the Buckle-Keith branch of the L.M. and S. (Highland Railway) section has not been reopened since 1917, when the rails were lifted. They were later relaicl and bridges were reconstructed, but negotiations in connection with the reopening of the line have, up to the time of writing, not been successful.
In common with many other firms, Messrs. Miller originally used solid tyres on their vehicles. Whilst these were quite satisfactory so far as wear and tear were concerned, it was obvious that pneumatic tyres would yield a much greater degree of comfort to the public. Messrs. Miller, therefore, have had all their buses fitted with pneumatics. Naturally the cost of effecting this improvement has not been ,small, and the firm are to be all the more complimented when one considers that Banffshire is far from being a thickly, populated couaty.
That people in Buckle aad the neighbouring towns and villages highly appreeiate the efforts of the two bus firms is indicated by the fact that they are taking full Advantage of the facilities which are provided. As might be expected, however, the scope is rather limited during the winter months, in view of the fact that at some of the fishing ports the population has been decreasing. The summer season at Moray Firth resorts is the busiest period of the year for the buses.
Many of the Banffshire roads are, unfortunately, not in the best condition, and it is hoped that they will be put in proper trim at an early date in order better to withstand the increasing volume of traffic. On special occasions, one or other of Messrs. Miller's buses runs from Bnekie to Elgin, which are about sixteen miles apart. Compared witb its condition a few years ago the Buelzie-Elgin road is now very greatly improved.
It has been pointed out that one important result of the motorbus services is an increased trade done by shopkeepers in the premier Moray Firth seaport of Buckle. More people now do their shopping in the town, and several new shops have recently been opened. In Banffshire, as in Morayshire, steady progress has been the password of the owners of the motorbuses.