Shuttlebus gets go-ahead
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TRANSPORT SECRETARY Nicholas Ridley has allowed an appeal by Vulcancrown (trading as Shuttlebus) against a refusal by London Transport to allow it to operate minibuses from any point in Greater London to Heathrow Airport.
Similar services operating to Gatwick and Luton airports have already been authorised by the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioners.
Mr Ridley reached his decision despite a recommendation by his inspector, that the appeal be dismissed.
He noted that the inspector found that the concept envisaged would create a new type of service which would give additional choice and greater convenience to the public who travel to and from the airport; and that the inspector had concluded that it would abstract passengers from existing profitable services to the airport but not to such an extent to cause them to become unprofitable.
Mr Ridley also noted that the inspector had commented that the fleet of 25 minibuses would not exacerbate traffic problems to any significant degree.
The main criticism was the lack of operating experience of Shuttlebus and the uncertainties attached to its financial forecasts.
Mr Ridley felt that the question of financial risk was one for Shuttlebus alone to consider.
He therefore directed LT to enter into an agreement allowing Shuttlebus to provide the services it sought.
Shuttlebus plans to operate Mercedes-Benz eight-seater buses between 6am and 11pm. A flat fare of £3 is to be offered for door-to-door service.
The minibuses would be to psv specifications and licensed and would be radio controlled.