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Show Trailways Ordered to Continue Kanah Run Panguitch City Mayor Jon Torgerson gives courtroom testimony before Administrative Law Judge Peter Grunfossen in an endeavor to help keep Trailways Bus Systems running along U.S. Kit KANAB An administrative law judge denied the application of Continentanl Trailways to discontinue bus service between Richfield and Kanab following a five hour hearing Wednesday in the Kane County Courthouse in Kanab. In denying the company's request, Judge Peter Grundfossen stated that he saw "a demonstrated need for both passenger bus service and express package service" now provided by the company. The public hearing, attended by some 65 persons, had been scheduled by the Public Service Commission of Utah to hear testimony regarding Trailways' proposal to drop service between Richfield and Kanab. The company, on Jan. 17, discontinued the Kanab to Flagstaff, portion of what had been the Salt Lake City-Phoenix run, and had IAriz. asked to cut off the 148-mile portion from Richfield to Kanab. Grundfossen, who was appointed by PSCU to review the case, said that he "did not make this decision lightly. This public convenience is required in this area." He said he would make recommendations to PSCU accordingly. Grundfossen also cited what he called "scant" statistics provided by Trailways' officials, and said the company did not include peak-tour months of travel. He added that in his own mind, he questioned whether the current situation was a "long-term decline in passenger use or a short-term decline which could be related directly to general economic conditions." In his summarization, Grundfossen said he was "impressed with the large number of individuals and companies who choose to use the bus service rather than other private "express companies," and said there 'is a lack of alternatives for public transportation in the southern Utah area. "It is evident that Kanab is greatly reliant on this service," he said. Grundfossen said he is sensitive to the financial condition of Trailways and said he will recommend to PSCU that they entertain adjustments, including a rate review. Trailways was represented at the hearing by Stuart Poelman, an attorney. Primary witness for the bus company was Kenneth Millsap, senior scheduling administrator. In his testimony, Millsap explained that it is necessary for Trailways to combine both interstate and instrastate passengers on the same bus run to make the system pay. It was pointed out that now that the interstate run (between Utah and Arizona on U. S. Highway 89) has been discontinued, the income from intrastate passenger fares and express package business would not be profitable. The bus company's exhibits included a Utah road map, showing basic routes, along with charts of various passenger count documents and financial income and expense statements. Millsap testified that data showed a loss of $11,841, and a later total operating loss of $63,090. However, in cross examination, the company official did not explain the nature and time period over which the losses occurred James Barker, an assistant attorney for Utah, represented PSCU at the hearing. During the public statement portion of the hearing, a letter of resolution, purported to be from Richfield Mayor Sue Marie Young, was introduced. However, Judge Grunfossen stated that since it was not certified and there were no city officials present from Richfield to testify to the authenticity, the letter was not accepted as testimony. However, public officials, as well as business owners and other citizens testified in behalf of keeping the bus service. Both Kanab and Panguitch city officials said that the bus service is the only- form of public-transportation in their communities and was used by many for both private and business sectors. Representatives from both hospitals In Panguitch and Kanab said that the bus service provides the only "same day" dependable freight service. They stated that while the use is sometimes infrequent, it is critical when needed for the transport of tissue and blood samples and important paper work. Law enforcement officials said they use the bus service in con- nection with Division of Family Life Services in transporting transients and other stranded persons out of the area. Representatives of private business said the bus service is used to transport paper work, payroll, and critical repair parts in instances of machinery breakdown. Several private citizens also testified that the bus is often the only transportation for those too old or too frightened to drive. They said it is used by elderly to visit family members, for shopping and for medical trips to larger cities. |