BRIDGE BUS TRAFFIC FORCES RAIL CUTS
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ROAF)services across the Forth Road Bridge have taken one-third of the former rail traffic off the Edinburgh-Fife routes and have forced British Railways to cut their off-peak rail services across the Forth Railway Bridge.
Ten off-peak trains are to be cancelled on the Edinburgh-Thornton-Dunfermline route and five on the EdinburghKirkcaldy route, with similar cuts in the reverse direction. The changes take effect from September 6.
Bus services to Dunfermline from Edinburgh and to Kirkcaldy were arranged previous to the opening of the Forth Road Bridge. both Scottish Omnibuses Ltd. and W. Alexander and Sons (Fife) Ltd. receiving approval for regular stage service routes. These have attracted a major amount of traffic and are included in the 4fm. vehicles to use the bridge in its first year.
Middlesbrough Crisis 1Vi1DDLESBROUGH CORPORATION -al transport is facing a crisis in the staffing of buses. The deputy transport manager, Mr. R. C. Jenkins, said that despite widespread publicity campaigns and recruitment drives. thc position was still deteriorating. "We need 60 drivers and conductors if we are to carry out the full services we are supposed to," he added. About 20 of the Corporation's 110 bilses are now off the road because there are not enough drivers to man them. Many of the drivers and conductors are working long periods of overtime, and even inspectors have been called in to help as drivers.
London and Manchester Problems rIPPOSING replacement of two-man double-deckers by an extension of oneman single-decker services, 1vIanchester busmen's representatives this week claimed that more buses would he needed, adding to congestion in the city. Also, savings on crew wages would be offset by the cost of new single-deckers, and passengers would get a poorer service, they claimed.
The general manager has been asked by the transport committee for a report on the one-man buses.
Meanwhile. London Transport has bccn facing an unofficial overtime ban at its [-Tendon garage—one of four which refused to accept the principle of local alterations in schedules. to cope with crew shortages. garage by garage. This was part of the 'January agreement. Proposed changes, due to start on September 8, would save about 20 duties.
Edinburgh Bans P.s.v. Parking: Edinburgh has banned parking of private p.s.v.s in the city until October 2 and has rented from British Railways the Lothian Road goods yard, which will become the official parking site for p.s.v.s visiting the city. They may drop or pick up elsewhere.