Ulster Railways Lose Nearly £500,000
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I N its 13th annual report the Ulster Transport Authority states that its net revenue last year resulted in a deficiency of £247,214, compared with a profit of £57,836 in the previous year—a drop of £305,050, The loss on the railways was £497,956, of which £345,298 was incurred on the Great Northern line.
The trading loss in all sections of transport was £370,020, compared with a deficiency of £51,499 in the previous year.
The report says it has become imperative that the entire railway system be virtually closed so that the Authority may fulfil its statutory obligations by September 30, 1964. It lists two possible alternatives, if it is ultimately decided by the Government to vary the statutory duty of the Authority. One is to continue the existing subsidy, which is not recommended, and the other is to modernize and rationalize the remainder of the rail system, as suggested by the Authority's technical committee, at a cost of about £3,000,000.
The road transport side of U.T.A. activities was more profitable, although the trading balance from bus and coach services, £45,172, was some £80,360 less than in 1959-60. Growing competition from private transport and the influence of television are blamed for this, .Increased use of double-deckers Was being made wherever this proved to be economic and six vehicles of this type had been introduced for the first time on the Londonderry city services. During the year 70 new 69-seater double-deckers, three 20-seat single-deckers for the conveyance of school children and two touring coaches were added to the fleet, bodywork for all except the coaches being built by the authority.
Road freight transport produced a trading balance of £82,764, which was £39,045 more than in 1959-60, and exceeded that from road passenger services for the first time. Transport associated with the expansion of cattle food manufacture and extended use of the U.T.A. contract vehicle service had contributed to this. Considerable renewal of the road haulage fleet took place, some 262 new vehicles of various types being placed in service.