Scottish Bus Runs Regularized
Page 37
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WHEN Scottish Omnibuses, Ltd., and the Western S.M.T. Co., Ltd., appeared before the Eastern Traffic Commissioners at Cambridge last week, the chairman, Mr. W. P. S. Ormond, described their application as "curious and unique:"
The two companies, who operate services to London from Edinburgh and Glasgow respectively, were granted variations of their backing authorizations, to allow them to pick up and set down passengers at Eaton Socon and Biggles wade.
The "curious and unique" character of the applications lay in the fact that the companies had operated these, and •other, stops for 30 years apparently in error. •
The proceedings opened with an .exchange of submissions by Mr. J. B. T. .Louden; representing the Scottish Bus Group, and Mr. '1. A. Hines, for the sole objectors, Buckmaster Garages, Ltd., Leighton Buzzard. • The applicants' point was that Buckrnaster's objection did not fall within Section 72 (3) of the 19311 Act, in that they, did not provide facilities in the area and that "wasteful competition" .did not arise.
Mr. Hines retorted that they provided transport in Bedford, withM -11 miles of the route, and crossed. it with their-East Coast excursions. Moreover, they . had filed an application for express services from Bedford to Glasgow. •
Mr. R. M. Palmer, special duties officer. Scottish Bus Group, apologized for their unintentional indiscretions in the past and added that no licensing records, concerning the present case appeared to have been kept for 1938 and later years. Between January and December, 1958, nearly 1,000 passengers had made use of their stops at Eaton Socon and Bigglcswade.
From his office records, Mr. Ormond was able to clarify the licensing position, Western S.M.T. first operated in December, 1932, when there were no restrictions in the Eastern Area and fare stages were authorized at Buckden, Biggleswade and Baldock. In 1938, however, the company said that they no longer required Buckden and Biggleswade, which were duly deleted. In 1949, no stops were indicated between Stamford and Baldock.
Scottish Omnibuses took over from Scottish Motor Traction in 1950, but from 1932 until 1935, when .Biggleswade was added, there were no pick-up points in the area. In 1950, the words "Pass Biggleswade " appeared on the company's literature, but this apparently was regarded as a mere point of interest to the passenger and did not represent a departure time. "Pass Eaton Socon" appeared in 1954, and remained in the timetable until recently.
The Metropolitan Traffic Commissioners recently granted the two companies picking-up points at Golders Green. North Finchley, Welwyn Garden City, Stevenage and Baldock. Applications for Barnet and Hatfield were refused.