Glasgow Hope to Show a Profit
Page 53
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ALTHOUGH there has ' been a decrease in the number of passengers carried there are hopes that Glasgow transport department will show a surplus during the present financial year, instead of an estimated deficit of £40,000
A £40,000 deficit was estimated largely because of expected competition from the electric trains, but with the temporary withdrawal of these services between Airdrie and Helensburgh the competition has not materialized. The electric trains are expected, however, to have a serious effect on the department's finances.
Commenting on this in his report for last year, Mr. E. R. 1.. Fitzpayne, general manager of the department, says that there can be little doubt that similar developments (to the Airdrie-Helensburgh service) on the city and suburban lines
must •attract _ many municipal transport passengers. . . • . .
The number of passengers carried last year was 538,836,758, compared with 551,858,737 in 1959. The total was almost 300,000 less than the figure for the post-war peak year of 1950.
There are at present vacancies for 500 drivers and conductors. Mr. Fitzpayne states that thc position is being reached in which there is insufficient work at " offpeak" periods for the crews required at
peak" periods. Substantial recompense is provided for duties with long " spreadover," with an adverse effect on the department's • financial position. The unpopularity of these duties is one of the principal factors in the failure to recruit sufficient staff.
BUSES REPLACE TRAMS
pLANS have been Made for buses to replace trams on another three routes in Glasgow this year. The remaining three tram routes in the city will be converted to buses by October, 1962.
At present the tram fleet in Glasgow numbers 208 vehicles, but after October this year there will be only 112 trams in service. At the end of the Second World War there were 1,150 trams in Glasgow.
NO EXTRA HALVES
rkA REQUEST from the University of Leeds Concessions Committee for an extension of half-fare concessions for students on Leeds Corporation buses has been refused by the transport committee.