REASONS FOR RAIL-TRAVEL DECLINE IN NORTHERN SCOTLAND
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The First Commissioners' Sitting Reveals the Railway Failure to Cater for the Travelling Public A P the Aberdeen meeting of the -tIlislorthern Scotland Area Traffic Commissioners last week Sir John Maxwell, the chairman, said that the whole question of fares, including excursion fares, would call for considerable evidence and careful thought.
In two of the cases heard the cheaper travel offered by road services was instanced. Mr. T. A. Gentles, K.C., for the L.N.E.11. Co., declared he did not know how the vehicles of Mr. James Sutherland, of Peterhead, could operate between that town and Aberdeen (35 miles) at 3s. single, when the railway fare, which was normally 115., now stood at 4s. 6d. Itr. Sutherland's solicitor replied that the railways had not catered for the public.
Mr. Gentles stated that since 1921 the number of passengers travelling between Aberdeen and Elgin annually had fallen from 114,000 to 61,000 (approximately), whilst receipts had dropped from £14,000 to £9,000. The route used by the buses was at times a matter of three miles or so away from the nearest railway station.
He thought something must be done to preserve the railway company by regulation of the number of buses and the fares, and buses might even be prohibited at certain towns, such as Ellon, from picking' up or setting down passengers who could conveniently be served by the railways.
The Court Wits adjourned until May 5th, when the applications for excursions and tours will be considered. Operators are endeavouring to arrange amongst themselves a grouping of excursions to submit to the Commissioners.