Scottish minibus routes in the red
Page 19
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Scotland's first country bus service sponsored by a local authority has gone £100 into the red after its first three months' operation. It is the Haddington and district service, run by a local operator on behalf of Haddington rural district council in East Lothian.
Five routes are served by a minibus operating either once daily or — more often— once a week. When the service began three months ago the Scottish Development Department, which is backing the scheme, indicated that there was to be no crosssubsidization between routes. Any shortfall in revenue thus becomes the responsibility of the rural council.
Only one route came anywhere near achieving its estimated potential and three of the other routes were on average £10 down over the first quarter. The fifth route — estimated to earn £144 — actually took £53.84. The council — committed by its licence to running the routes for a year — is currently examining ways and means of rethning the services to make them more attractive. A sixth route is also being planned.