Slight Drop in Loadings
Page 49
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ADROP of about 1 per cent. in stagecarriage loadings last year was reported by Mr. W. T. James, chairman of the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., at the company's annual general meeting last week, He blamed television, the growth of private motoring and no more Saturday work in the coal industry. Depression in shipbuilding and a curtailment of overtime in local industry also affected traffic.
The company's touring section, however, expanded last year, and the number of people carried on holiday tours12,000—was a record.
Four inter-urban express services had been introduced. In addition, the many new and growing housing estates in the concern's area called for more and better stage services.
These, and the fine weather, enabled the company to maintain their previous year's mileage of 39m., even though some services had to be cut because their frequencies were no longer justified by the volume of passengers.
The company would have to pay an extra £550,000 a year to meet the trade unions' current demands, said Mr. James. Moreover, the 1960 Budget had added to the company's tax burden. The 1959 Budget increased the rate of profits tax from 3-10 per cent., whilst the new Budget raised it to 121 per cent, It would no longer be possible to maintain fares at present levels, he warned.
Thirty-eight single-deck buses and 12 coaches were placed in service last year at a cost of £217,000. Leyland Atlanteans began operating in January. There were 33 of these and another 30 were to he delivered this year. There would also be 12 new coaches.