'One-off' coach for commuters
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THE BRIGHTON Line Commuter's Association, under the guise of the Society for the Preservation of Old London Buildings, ran its inaugural coach from Brighton to London and back, last week.
The vehicle was provided by Southdown Motor Services Ltd, part of the National Bus Company which has said that it will oppose any application for a regular service by the BLCA.
There are no plans, as yet, to repeat the trip on a regular basis; last week's journey was a one-off private hire arrangement with Southdown, and as such needed no road service licence.
Organiser Mike Land, chairman of the BLCA. has formed the Society with a cat, a bird and a fish as chairman, secretary and treasurer.
It is an attempt, he explains, to circumvent the existing psv legislation on the premise that an application for a road service licence would have to be supported at a public inquiry before the Traffic Commissioners, and this would prove difficult for the Commissioners.
However, there have been cases where an organiser — as distinct from an organisation — has been prosecuted for illegal operation.
Last week's journey attracted LS commuters who paid 90p, each for the service, though this was described as "a membership fee," and each received a brochure on old buildings and two cups of coffee.