Highland stage rivals
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COMPETITION between the Scottish Bus Group's Highland Omnibuses, and Eastern Scottish subsidiaries and independents Newtons Coaches and Allender Coaches on express services between Inverness and Glasgow and Edinburgh is to continue in the future on stage carriage licences.
All four operators have been running extra services for some time and the Scottish Group subsidiaries and the two independents opposed one another's application for stage licences for similar services. They have agreed to withdraw the objections and the Scottish Traffic Commissioners have granted licences for the services.
The Commissioners have reserved a decision on a proposed service between Thurso and Inverness by Merlin Express Passenger Services.
That application was opposed by Highland and British Rail. Highland estimated that up to £33,500 of its current revenue could be lost if Merlin got its licence. Highland Regional Council was unlikely to make any compensating increase in revenue support, and services would need to be cut.