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Northern General the Last Big Company to Apply?

12th October 1951
Page 38
Page 38, 12th October 1951 — Northern General the Last Big Company to Apply?
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

GRANTING Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., and its associated concerns, what was described as the first application for higher fares made by them since 1913, the Northern Licensing Authority said that this must be one of the last companies to make.. an application of this kind. "The company has exercised great restraint in holding off until this late date in making an application for increases," he commented.

For the applicants, which included Tynemouth and District Transport Co., Ltd., Tyneside Tramways and Tramroads Co., and Wakefield's Motors, Ltd., it was stated that about 5m, miles a year were operated at a loss. Over 250 services were concerned in the application, which proposed increases of 0.-3d. on single and return tickets. For journeys up to 0.7 miles, the Id. fare is to be retained, more than half the present number of id. fares available being unchanged.

Sunderland Applies A new fares system based on Id. a mile, with a minimum charge of lid. was proposed by Sunderland Corporation, when its application came before the Northern Licensing Authority last week. Last year, higher running costs completely wiped out the reserve fund of £30,000 and created a deficit of £74,000. The proposed changes would produce a surplus of £7,524, and most of the deficit would be dealt with by a contribution from the rates. Decision was reserved.

A deficit of £48,852 incurred by Merthyr Tydfil Transport Department was mentioned when the corporation's proposed higher charges were considered by the South Wales Licensing Authority. This equalled a rate charge of 5s. Id. in the pound, it was stated, the present rate being already 27s.

• 4d. a Mile

Refusing to permit a 2d. minimum fare, and id. additions to other rates, Mr. H. J.. Thom, the Licensing Authority, said that in some cases one fare would be 4d. a mile. The undertaking would do better to raise concession fares, which worked out at id. a mile. Permission was granted to add 0. to all fares over 2d., the present lid. and 2d. tickets being unchanged.

The Scottish Licensing Authority, last Friday, granted Highland Transport Co., Ltd., a 20-per-cent. increase on fares on 49 routes. He pointed out that an advance of 10 per cent, had been approved last year, and there was a danger of the law of diminishing returns beginning to operate. increases of 20 per cent, were granted to two companies operating the Wick-John o'Groats service.

Withdrawal of concession fares, sought by Rotherham Corporation to save £53,000 a year, was permitted by the Yorkshire Licensing Authority. Fifty services are affected. Both motorbus and trolleybus charges are included in the grant, which becomes effective next B4 Sunday. Return and prepaid tickets will no longer be issued after that date.

Some 40 routes operated by Rochdale Corporation, of which nine are jointly run with nine other operators, will bear higher charges shortly, following the granting of an application by North Western Licensing Authority. Northampton Corporathan and United Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., have also been authorized to raise fares on a total of 49 local services. _ Huddersfield Corporation, which suffered a loss of £5,000 last year, is to apply for higher charges. These will include a 2d. minimum single fare, a 3d. minimum workmen's ticket and additions of Id. and 2d. to higher fares. A loss of £30,000 is expected on this year's operations.

Newcastle Corporation, which in the past eight months has seen its undertaking's ANttee account increase by

£102,000 to £965,000 a year, is also contemplating new fare sbhedules. Other municipal undertakings faced with the same difficulty are Hull, which requires another £26,000 a year, and Birkenhead, which is faced with a loss of £30,000 at the end of the current year.

Although a general increase in fares . was granted last October, Thames Valley Traction Co., Ltd., is to apply again. Applications concerning 62 services have been published, and the proposals provide for additions of id. to all single tickets between 20. and 7d. and of 10 per cent. (to the nearest Id.) to tickets above 7d., and to returns.


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