Big Mileage Saving Made by E.M.M.S.
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A SAVING of nearly 250,000 miles on PA stage services operated by East Midland Motor Services, Ltd., was effected in 1957-58, due to economies practised by the company. This was reported by Mr. R. J. Ellery, chairman, at their annual meeting.
He said the saving in mileage had allowed them to reduce the strength of their fleet to 251, compared with 303 in 1956. The peak summer allocation of vehicles in 1958 was 232, only II more than in the summer of 1956, despite the fact that in buying the business of Mr. William Truman they had gained 50 vehicles, with a further 10 in taking over Wass Bros., Ltd.
Although these economies had been introduced, buses covered each mile of road at a greater frequency than before the war and, with bigger seating capacities, this meant that the number of seat miles for each mile of route was far greater than in 1939.
A30 Wass Bros.' activities had been fully integrated with East Midland's, resulting in improved facilities for the public, and the acquisition of the business had proved a sound move. The company had also been relieved of the burden of using several obsolete and uneconomic buses at Staveley, where a bridge had prevented normal under-floor engined buses being operated. The problem had been removed, so orthodox. single-deckers could now be used.
In the middle of August, passenger loadings on staie services had increased, but since the end of September there had been a falling off, probably because of the weather. On express services, loadings were still well below 1956 figures and no improvement appeared likely. However, the company did little express work.
There had been no application for fare increases, but further pruning of services would probably have to be made. Ultimately higher fares might be sought,