Ulster Tribunal Modify Maximum Charges
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TOLD that the recent High Court ruling in favour of Rathcoole Tenants' Association would affect some 36,000 short-distance fares, the Ulster Transport Tribunal last week granted an application by the Ulster Transport Authority for the modification of the fares schedule in the Tribunal's Maximum Charges Order of July, 1956.
The High Court ruling favoured the Association's claim that return fares from Belfast to Rathcoole should be Is. fid. instead of Is. 8d., and should be Is. 4d. instead of is. fid. from Belfast to the Diamond, Rathcoole.
Mr. C. A. Nicholson, Q.C., for the U.T.A., said that the Rathcoole decision meant that the fares structure of the Authority, calculated carefully to provide enough revenue to keep the undertaking solvent, was not based on a solid foundation.
The effect on the Authority's revenue was difficult to calculate. In the case of Rathcoole, it made a difference of about £4,000 per year, but obviously it could have a formidable effect all over.
" As far as the railways are concerned, if costs are increased it may not be possible to recover them by increased charges, It might mean further dosing of railways or withdrawal of services," said Mr. Nicholson.
The Tribunal also approved the Authority's proposals for the settlement of maximum charges by providing six-day weekly tickets for unlimited travel by rail and two double journeys by road, and five-day tickets which will give the same facilities.
NEW STEELWORK'S SERVICES THE South Wales Traffic Commissioners last week granted three licences for bus services to the site of the Spencer steelworks, now being built for Richard Thomas and Baldwins. Ltd., at Llanwern, near Newport. When completed, in the autumn of 1961.. the works will employ some 5,000 men.
Red and White Services, Ltd„ applied to run services from Cwmbran new town and Llanmartin to the site, and Newport Transport Mpartment sought to operate from the town to the new works office block.
ONE-MAN BUSES TO CUT COSTS
THE introduction of one-man buses at
Rotherham is expected following the wage increase to municipal transport staffs. Five of the new type buses were purchased by the corporation transport department last year but the Transport and General Workers' Union refused to allow them to be operated with drivers only and since then they have been iii normal service with conductors.
Rotherham will have to find another £49,000 a year to cover the increases and it is expected that such economies as the introduction of one-man buses will be essential to help meet this cost.