| OCR Text |
Show ICC Rules in Favor of Trailways; Bus Service Ended for South Utah The Interstate Commerce Commission, after hearing appeals from Trailways Bus System, Inc., ruled in favor of the company, overruling an earlier decision by the Public Service Commission of Utah requiring the company to continue its service between Sevier and Kanab on U.S. 89. Bus service to the affected area terminated on Aug. 27. Trailways' claim of non-profit operation was supported by the decision of the Interstate Commerce Commission in its decision in Washington, D.C. on August 17. Velma Abner, proprietor of the Blue Pine Hotel in Panguitch, said that her loss of revenue as the Trailways agent here would amount to more than $1,600 per year. Abner said that the run brought approximately three to four passengers a day throughout the year. She further stated that earlier, when her niece attempted to buy a ticket to Panguitch in the Salt Lake City depot she was told that there was no Trailways agency in Panguitch. When she asked again, she was told the same thing. When she called Abner, Abner told her to buy a ticket to Richfield and then purchase a ticket there for Panguitch. She was then successful in reaching her destination. George Houston of Kanab, the Trailways agent there said that they would miss the freight business since it was fairly lucrative, but that the passenger business had not proved profitable. It was his feeling that an enterprising person could appeal for a subsidy and by using several small vans pick up both freight and passenger service. For his part, he said, he "was glad to be out of it". Abner on the other hand said that the extra income helped and since her hotel is noted for being the last place Butch Cassidy saw his mother, it was kind of like going out to meet the stage. |
