Lift-off at last
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AFTER THREE unsuccessful applications, Lunar Module of Luton has won the right to operate a high-frequency minibus service in Luton town centre.
Lunar Module, which is run by taxi and minibus operator R. S. Dudley, first applied to run four or five minibuses on a continuous circular service linking various places in the town centre in 1980. This and two similar applications were rejected by the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioners.
Mr Dudley appealed to the Transport Secretary in January this year and alleged that the Commissioners had been biased against him and had tended to be helpful to the objectors, United Counties, Bedfordshire County Council and the Luton Labour party.
The Commissioners said the Lunar Module application would endanger Bedfordshire's plans for a balanced public transport network, but the appeal inspector said that as the company was not seeking assistance from public funds and would disappear if unsuccessful, any problems caused would also be short lived.
If Mr Dudley's projections were proved right the new service will be of real benefit to the public.
Transport Secretary Tom King granted the appeal on condition that Lunar Module agreed to suitable bus stop sites with the Luton borough engineer.