Seventh Fare Grant in • Eight Years
Page 50
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IT was " grim necessity" which brought him before the Scottish Traffic Commissioners, said the deputy town clerk of Edinburgh, Mr. A. Lindsay Stewart. when he applied on behalf of the corporation for a series of fare increases. The application sought to raise the 5d. fare to 5d., the 6d. fare to 7d. and the children's universal fare from 2d. to 3d. The Commissioners granted the application in full, and the new rates will operate froth Sunday.
Mr. Stewart said that it was not in the corporation's interests to note that since 1951 they had made seven applications for increases. But the Transport Department was under an obligation to pay its way.
In 1947 the department had a reserve fund of £1,300,000, but by 1951 there was nothing left. In 1952 the conversion from tram operation, and the consequent reinstatement of roads, proved a heavy liability. If the undertaking continued to operate at the present fares the deficit at the end of the year would be £179,000. Mr. W. M. Little, transport manager, said that the increases were expected to bring in another £6,000 a week if the application were granted.
A flat rate of 2d.. irrespective of distance, for children travelling on Dundee municipal buses had been approved by the transport committee. Children's fares at present range from Id. to 4d. The proposed increase would produce an estimated £6,800 a year, and was one of several schemes before the committee for meeting an estimated deficit of £4,624 for 1959-60.
"ROAD HAULAGE ABC"
AANY pictures showing typical IVI vehicles at work are included in "Road Haulage ABC," by C. S. Dunbar, published by Ian Allan, Ltd., Craven House, Hampton Court, Surrey, at 2s. 6d. It is a book designed to appeal to boys. There is a short history of road haulage, and the offices of the Road Haulage Association are listed, together with the addresses of other associations and of the Licensing Authorities.