Birmingham Needs 900 More Workers
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REPORTING to Greater Birmingham Committee that Birmingham Transport Department might face another labour crisis, Mr. A. G. Hutt, secretary of the committee, said that the main difficulties in recruitment were that wages did not compare with those offered by other industries, a seven-day week was entailed and broken shift work was demanded.
He thought it might help if it were not required that drivers first spend a period as conductors, and the committee chairman, Mr. J. J. Gracie, agreed with him on this point.
Alderman H. Watton, chairman of Birmingham Transport Committee told Birmingham Trades Council last week that the staff shortage was serious. At least 900 platform staff were required. Some drivers were leaving to join operators of summer coach tours. Night services might have to be cut, he said.
Newcastle upon Tyne Transport Department are short of 90 drivers and conductors. Some duplicate services have been cut. Other services are being maintained by men working extra time.
/8 M.P.H. AVERAGE REJECTED WHEN Mr. j. H. Gotch, traffic VV manager of Seamarks (Motors), Ltd., Rectory Road, Rushden, told the East Midland Licensing Authority last week that it was proposed to run to London in 21 hours at an average of 28 m.p.h., the Authority responded: "We do not accept any average speed higher than 24 m.p.h."
Seamarks and Messrs. Johnson's Motors, Quorn Road, Rushden. were applying to run a series of excursions to places including Wembley Pool and Empress Hall.
Mr. D. G. Robertson, Wembley Stadium parties organizer, said that 60-70 per cent, of their business came from outside London. There was a growth of custom from localities 35-70 miles from London.
Mr. M. Brandon, Empress Hall development manager, stated that 10,000 people came from Northamptonshire to the pantomime of last Christmas.
The hearing was adjourned.
ASSAULT ON CHEAP FARES AN application to abolish 750 of the company's 2,500 workmen's fares has been lodged by the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co. Ltd. with the West Midland Licensing Authority. If granted, annual revenue will rise by £148,877. Since the last fare increase in 1953, costs have risen £203,000 a year,
The Potteries Motor Traction Co., Ltd. and other operators in Stoke-onTrent seek to increase early-morning concession fares and to withdraw the issue of cheap fares to shift workers outside the normal hours.
The Yorkshire Licensing Authority is to recommend Chesterfield Corporation's proposals to raise fares by id.-1d. to offset a £71,000 deficit this year.