David Devoy looks at the independent coach operators of Scotland, many of which are now just a memory.

During the 1960s, a large number of independent bus and coach fleets existed, which varied enormously in size and scope of operation. They ranged from major operators such as Barton Transport (Nottinghamshire); Lancashire United and West Riding who operated stage carriage services as well as coach fleets; or Wallace Arnold Tours of Leeds, a major coach touring company in Britain and Continental Europe; to small operators who possessed just a handful of vehicles. The latter were sometimes involved only in private hire work, for such things as outings to sporting events or theaters, school or industrial contracts or often a combination of both. Smaller operators were based throughout the country, sometimes in tiny villages but also in the heart of large cities. Often the smaller operators bought redundant buses and coaches from major operators, whether BET, BTC (Tilling) or municipal concerns, or London Transport. Many got bargains from the latter, with surplus RT and RTL double-deckers sold following the disastrous bus strike and service cuts of 1958. Conversely, redundant vehicles bought by independent fleets often brought types that came from as far away as Scotland to London and the south east. In the 1960s, the oldest buses and coaches with independent fleets were those employed on school or industrial contracts. These were not subject to the rigorous tests governing those carrying fare-paying passengers, so could be kept going until they were literally falling apart! These were known as ‘non-PSVs’, i.e. non-public service vehicles. On the other hand, some very small independent fleets, often with the title ‘Luxury Coaches’, took great pride in their fleets. They would purchase new coaches every two or three years and keep them in immaculate condition. The net result was that British independent bus and coach operators in the 1960s had a fascinating variety of chassis and body makes and styles, as well as liveries. This book shows many of these as they were between fifty and sixty years ago.

Dramatic landscapes, hauntingly beautiful ruins, and stirring myths and legends: See for yourself why this evocative country has inspired art and folklore for centuries with Moon Scotland. Inside you’ll find: Flexible itineraries including a journey through the Highlands and Islands, day-by-day itineraries in Glasgow and Edinburgh, a tour of Scotland’s six World Heritage Sites, and more Strategic advice, whether you’re looking to castle-hop, trace your ancestry, go cliff-diving, or stroll through misty villages Must-see highlights and unique experiences: Walk along Edinburgh's historic Royal Mile, or climb the Arthur's Seat peak. Explore Neolithic burial chambers and rugged archipelagos in the north, follow the Malt Whisky Trail in Speyside, or hop on the West Highland Railway, one of the world’s most beautiful train rides. Catch a traditional music performance in Glasgow or chat with locals at a corner pub over folk music and a pint. Hike through wild moors and pine forests to deserted villages on Skye, play one of the oldest golf courses in the world, or take a seaplane over Loch Lomond for dramatic views of the Highlands Honest tips from Scotland expert Sally Coffey Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Background information on Scotland’s landscape, history, and cultural customs Helpful resources on Covid-19 and traveling to Scotland In-depth coverage of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Southern, Central, and Northeast Scotland, Loch Lomond, Inverness, Orkney & Shetland, the Central Highlands and the Isle of Skye, and the Outer Hebrides Handy tools such as visa information, a Scottish phrasebook, and tips for LGBTQ+ travelers, families with kids, and seniors Experience the best of Scotland with Moon’s practical tips and expert insight. Sticking to the major cities? Check out Moon Edinburgh, Glasgow & the Isle of Skye. About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you. For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

The process of selling assests and enterprises to the private sector raises questions about natural monopolies, the efficiency and equity of state-owned versus privately owned enterprises, and industrial policy. This comprehensive analysis of the British privatization program explores these questions both theoretically and empirically.

Public Transport is a comprehensive textbook covering the planning of all public transport systems (bus, coach, rail, taxi and domestic air travel) in Britain and other countries with similar systems. The term ‘planning’ is used both in the context of local authority and central government roles and in the work done by transport operators for example, network structures, vehicle type selection. In addition to the various types of transport, the differing needs of the urban, rural and long distance markets are examined. This restructured new edition gives greater emphasis to service quality and marketing issues as well as covering recent changes in legislation, statistics and research findings. Public Transport is of particular interest to transport planners in local authorities and consultancies, managers in transport operations, as well as undergraduates and MSc students of transport planning and those studying for the membership examinations of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Between the two world wars and in the years that followed, several generations relied on country buses. In the days when few could afford a car, the bus was the medium to move between homes in often remote villages and the places where they increasingly went to school, worked and enjoyed their leisure hours. This is the story of one such chain of villages across the Berkshire Downs — and the family-owned business that grew up around satisfying their needs. George Hedges came back from World War I to become a horse-drawn carrier, but with ambitions to motorise his business. With his family taking the wheel in the 50s and beyond, Reliance extended its reach nationwide and even internationally. The small village where it all started, Brightwalton, woke in the mornings to the cough of diesel engines from both Reliance buses and a relative’s lorries. When both businesses departed, the village lost many of its jobs, its two pubs and very nearly its school. This book is not just for bus lovers but for anyone who looks back with fondness on the era before the motor car choked free movement and changed life.

Previously unpublished photographs from popular bus author David Devoy, this tells a fascinating story that shows just how far the Scottish bus industry has come.

This first volume of the Official History studies the background to privatisation, and the privatisations of the first two Conservative Governments led by Margaret Thatcher from May 1979 to June 1987. First commissioned by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair as an authoritative history, this volume addresses a number of key questions: To what extent was privatisation a clear policy commitment within the Thatcher Governments of the 1980s - or did Government simply stumble on the idea? Why were particular public corporations sold early in the 1980s and other sales delayed until well into the 1990s? What were the privatisation objectives and how did they change over time, if at all? How was each privatisation planned and executed, how were different City advisers appointed and remunerated, what precise roles did they play? How was each privatisation administered; in what ways did the methods evolve and change and why? How were sale prices determined? Which government departments took the lead role; what was the input of the Treasury and Bank of England; and what was the relationship between Ministers and civil servants? The study draws heavily from the official records of the British Government to which the author was given full access and from interviews with leading figures involved in each of the privatisations – including ex-Ministers, civil servants, business and City figures, as well as academics that have studied the subject. This new official history will be of much interest to students of British political history, economics and business studies.