Bus Width Restriction Would be Unfair
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DECAUSE the Western S.M.T. Co..
Ltd., had been pressed to provide stage services connecting Dumfries with Haugh of Urr and Lockfoot, it was unfair that they should now be restricted on vehicle width, the Scottish Traffic Commissioners decided last week.
Mr. W. Quin. chairman, said the Commissioners and Kirkcudbright County Council had urged the company to take over the routes when they were abandoned in 1956 by Anderson Motors, Dumfries. There were many similar roads in Scotland over which 8-ft.-wide buses were operated, and buses should not be restricted while other forms. of transport
were free. • Western S.M.T. were applying for substantive licences, and were opposed by the county council, who said 8-ft. buses were too wide for the roads. For the company, Mr. G. Ramsay said although they were able to operate 7-ft. 6-in, vehicles at present. they would not always be available in summer.
The company's policy was to standardize on 8-ft. buses, and if they were compelled to buy 7-ft. 6-in, vehicles specially for these routes, they would not be able to maintain the services, which were already losing 6d, a mile.
Mr. Quin said the application would be granted, hut the Commissioners would continue to watch the situation carefully.