More Deficits Likely on Buses
Page 45
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L'OLLOWING the pay awards to busmen, most operators are again faced with the prospect of seeking higher fares or instituting more economies. At Merthyr (Glarn), the transport committee Face an estimated loss of £10,000 on the current year, and they are contemplating a fares increase. But their first move will be to investigate possible economies to cover the £8,000 cost of the award. Aberdare Urban District Council were last week granted increases of from 1.d. to 2a. on many fares, bringing their minimum to 3d. Mr. J. L. Thomas, borough treasurer, forecast a deficit on the year of £21,228, and said it was likely that a further application would have to be made.
Newport (Mon) Corporation are see
jog increases to cover the extra £15,000 in their wages bill, but Sunderland Corporation are hoping to find an extra £19,994 a year through economies. At Oldham, where the cost will be about 09,000, it is proposed that many 2d. and 3d. fares should be increased by id. Portsmouth Corporation hope to cover the £25,000 award with a combination of bus cuts and fare increases. East Midland Motor Services, Ltd. have to find another £25,000 a year, but they expect to be able to keep fares stable for the time being by pruning services. A £50,000 increase in costs faces the East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd., and for the Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., the figure is £70,000. Eastern Counties are applying for fare revisions. Economies are to be introduced by the Thames Valley Traction Co., Ltd., to cover the £50,000 cost of the award, and higher fares will be introduced only at Newbury, where they are sub-standard. The Aldershot and District Traction Co., Ltd., propose to cover the additional £30,000 expenditure by minor adjustments in fares and fewer concessions. The pay award will cost Nottingham £48,000 in a full year—£20,700 this year —and the cost to Leicester will be £23.000 a year. Leicester Transport Committee say they are not yet thinking of seeking fare increases. (East Yorkshire Motor Services' application: Page 558.)