Chester Seeks to End Concessions
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" THERE is no logical reason for continning workpeople's fares. People who travel before 8 a.m. are no longer the least affluent. It seems unreasonable that shop assistants and others whose wages are less should subsidize those who travel earlier."
This argument was put before the North Western Licensing Authority, last week, by Mr. D. M. Kerrnode,
• deputy town clerk, in support of Chester Corporation's application to abolish workmen's returns and to increase ordinary single fares by id. Decision was reserved.
Mr. Ken-node said the last increase was in January, 1952, and in consequence profits were expected but losses had followed as a result of factors beyond the control of the corporation. In 1952-53 there was a loss of £2,2/34, althoughreceipts increased by £16,930. A profit of £7,724 had been expected.
13y the end of the year expenditure
would have grown by £5,097, which was accounted for mainly by two pay awards. There had been a substantial rise in loan charges, and the estimated toss at the end of the year was £13,036.
For 1955-56 a further drop in income Was forecast, and the loss on the year was estimated atE14,325. The accumulated deficit at the end of 1954-55 was placed at just over £27,000.
Fewer passengers were travelling, largely, it was thought, because of television. .
The abolition of workpeople's fares would raise revenue by £2,650. In asking for increase on all single fares it was doubtful whether the. corporation were seeking enough. The new minimum fare would be .2d. and would produce £1.72,720; a rise of £24,220.
ROOTES' WORLD EXPANSION
ASSEMBLY plants of the Rootes .1-1 Group in five continents were being extended in floor area by over a half, Sir William Rootes, chairman of the Rootes Group, said in Paris last week.
The expansion programme of £5m. which had originally been announced had to be increased, so that total expenditure Would now approach £10m., Sir William added.
The new factory at Dunstable was nearly completed.