Minis take the stage?
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MINIBUSES may be used to replace Garelochhead Coach Services' stage routes when the company closes on August 31 (CM, August 2).
Helensburgh garage company Frank Phipps is planning to seek licences for more flexible services in the area, using 16and 21-seat minibuses, and says it can operate them without a subsidy.
The plan calls for a cheaper and more frequent service than that operated at present to serve several communities not covered by existing bus services. There is also talk of providing express shoppers' journeys to Stirling, which will be out of the scope of road services licensing after October 1 when the Transport Act takes effect.
Local councillors hope the new service could begin on September 1, but have asked GreaterGlasgow PTE to provide an interim service if Phipps cannot start then.
Garelochhead received a £20,000 subsidy from Strathclyde Region, but said it would need £60,000 to stay in busi ness. It also operated Ministry of Defence contracts, but Phipps says it is not interested in these.