Free buses for shoppers?
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• If a scheme currently under discussion materializes, shoppers in Birmingham's city centre will this summer have the use of a free bus service. The proposal, put by air. Harold Edwards, chairman of the public works committee, is being investigated by transport and corporation officials and the West Midlands PTE is examining possible routes for a shuttle service between the main shopping areas and assembly points such as New Street Station and car parks.
A –dummy run" was made last Christmas when a "park and ride" service carried passengers between a car park in Bristol Street and the city centre.
Cllr. Edwards, who was impressed by a similar scheme which he saw in Capetown, said that the Birmingham plan might not pay for itself but he felt it would be a social amenity. Suggestions include painting the buses in "psychedelic" colours for easy recognition, ramps to allow pram and push-chair loading and an area for parcels and shopping bags.
Villagers in the Colchester area, too, may soon be offered free rides—on buses to and from the town. The buses would run as "shopping specials". Colchester and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce last week agreed to explore the possibility of such a scheme as part of a drive to attract more shoppers into the borough. A subcommittee is to be set up to consider the idea.
Colchester Town Council is also to be asked for a donation towards the campaign. Possible routes suggested for the "shopping specials" are Maldon
Tiptree-Colchester and WithamKelvedon-Colchester.