Public Transport Experience: Fares, Faeroes, Ferries And Fairies (2)

But First : Hulleys (Continued)

The Traffic Commissioners who regulate the deregulated bus industry publish their offficial workings on-line in the above document. Section 5 of this publication is all about Public Inquiries when a possible naughty boy is call before the headmaster who will pass judgement and execute punishment.

There are several reasons why an operator is called before the headmaster; they include unreliability of service, poor maintenance record or matters which affect the "repute" of the licence holder. The latter usually involve concerns abotu the business's financial status.

So in the edition of "N&P" published on 1st Jan 2025, we read this ...

Public Inquiry (90305) to be held at The Public Inquiry Room (Warrington), WA3 2SH, Suite 4, Stone Cross Place, Stone Cross Lane North, Golborne, Warrington, on 21 January 2025 commencing at 10:30

Previous hearing on 17 September 2024 was adjourned.

PC0003407 SN

HENRY HULLEY & SONS LTD

Director(s): ALFRED VINCENT CROFTS

DERWENT GARAGE, CALVER ROAD,

BASLOW, BAKEWELL, DE45 1RP

S17 - Consideration of disciplinary action under Section 17 (The Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981)

It is possible that some blog readeers may be less than familiar with the provisions of Section 17. Fortunately the interweb provides an adequate summary.

Section 17 of the Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 is about the revocation and suspension of licenses:

Revocation

A traffic commissioner can revoke a standard license if they believe the license holder no longer meets the requirements of section 14ZA(2). This includes if the license holder is no longer of good repute, has an unstable establishment in Great Britain, or does not have adequate financial standing.

Notice

Before revoking a license, the traffic commissioner can give the license holder a notice with a time limit to fix the issue. If the license holder fixes the issue within the time limit, the traffic commissioner cannot revoke the license.

Suspension

A traffic commissioner can suspend a PSV operator's license for a specified period.

The fact that a September hearing was adjourned might suggest that Hulleys had been given time to "fix" its problems and a further and final review is now due. Events since the September hearing may well suggest that the problem has not been "fixed"!

Mykines Minutiae

Lighthouse At The Land's End

One of the stand-out attractions on the Island has been closed in recent times. At the western end of the main Island of Mykines is a small branch office of an island called Mykines Holmur.

In Faeroese holmur means "island" so Mykines Holmur is the "Island" closes to Mykines Island.

To get to the sub-island, you have to cross a narrow strip of sea on a bridge.

It looks both spindly and terrifying.

But, as ever on Mykines, the views are truly spectacular and, of course, the puffins are just delightful.

But sadly this excursion is not available due to a landslip and danger of further collapse of the natural infrastructure.

Apart from a few lumps pf uninhabited rock there is nothing in the west until you get to Canada, although you might bump into Greenland on the way.

The Faeroes is that minuscule cream dot near the centre right of the above map. Tiny, isn't it?

Mykines Funicular?

Wikipedia (so it must be right) tells us that there is a funicular to carry goods from the ferry landing up a steep hill.

Technically it may well be "funicular" in the most basic of its meanings ...

funicular (adj.)

1660s, from funicle "a small cord" (1660s), from Latin funiculus "a slender rope," diminutive of funis "a cord, rope," of unknown etymology.

... which implies anything hailed by a slender rope ...

... rather than the modern mechanical interpretation of the word. On Mykines a "slender rope" is used to haul a small cage for goods up the concrete ramp.

And A Shop!

The faroese for "shop" is "handil", so we might expect such a sign to be displayed over the retail therapy available in the village of Mykines.

Neither is huge.

The main purpose of the "shop" would appear to be as a caff for weary walkers.

There is no grocery store on the island of Mykines in the Faroe Islands, so islanders rely on a helicopter to bring in supplies for the winter. However, there are a few places to eat on the island, including:

The Locals Mykines

A small cafe that serves light snacks and drinks, plus meals for dinner. They also run the nearby campsite and can pre-order packed lunches for hikers.

Mykinesstova