North East fares rise sought
Page 31
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• The Tyneside PTA has decided to seek permission from the Licensing Authority to raise bus fares in Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields to bring in an extra £500,000 revenue annually. At Newcastle 5d and 7d. fares could be raised by .2d.; 9d. fares to ls.; 11d. fares to Is. 2d.; Is. id. and ls. 3d. to ls. 5d. All-night fares would be raised from 10d. to Is. and race specials from ls. 6d. to 2s. Contract, private hire, and season tickets would go up by 10 per cent. At South Shields, where there was a fare increase last October, there would be 2d. increases on
5d., 7d., and 9d. fares.
Cllr. Neville Trotter opposed the proposed Newcastle increases on the grounds that higher costs could be met, for the time being, from reserves amounting to £500,000. Aid. E. W. Mackley, of South Shields, said the increases there could cause a near riot, since the last rise occurred only last October. Among increased costs to be met by the Authority is £207,000 for the last wage increase.
Subject to the approval of the LA the higher fares will operate in April.