LIVERPOOL'S MUNICIPAL BUSES UNDER A CLOUD
Page 71
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Facts and Figures Embodied in the Latest Report Convey, in our Opinion, an Erroneous Impression as to the Merits of Buses ALTHOUGH Liverpool Corporation runs a large fleet of buses, and the route mileage on which the vehicles are operated has been increased year by year, one gathers from the recently issued report of the general manager covering the 12 months to the end of March last, that the financial results from the bus services are disappointing. We are somewhat at a loss to appreciate, however, the significance of the comment that this is particularly the case on those routes "which for a large portion traverse tramway routes," especially as it is added that the tramcar services-fully cater for passengers, for in the circumstances it appears obvious that traffic dealt with by the buses must be diverted from the trams.
Although a slightly higher fare per passenger is received from the buses, the difference between that amount and the sum received from the tramcar passenger is so small that the operation of these bus services, in addition to tram services, to the same idistrict, becomes, according to the statement of the general manager. "a drain on the finances of the undertaking."
Experience gained during the past three years shows that these services are only patronized in one direction during the peak loading hours. As a large number of the buses is run for only comparatively short periods each day, the operating costs and capital charges per mile run in actual service are high. One feels inclined to raise the question as to whether the eventual abandonment of the trams would solve the problem of providing a profitable and flexible system of public transport.
New municipal housing estates are being built in districts unserved by tramways, and the buses are providing the means for transport for them, although their operation cannot be expected to prove financially profitable until the areas are more fully developed.
During the year ended March 31st last, the bus traffic revenue amounted to £178,223, whilst the operating costs were £204,917, the gross deficit thus being £26,694. The net revenue account shows that sinking fund and interest charges increased this amount to £69.193. Deducting this sum from the net surplus of £85,577 on the working of the tramways, results in the reserve, renewal and depreciation fund receiving £16,384. The balance standing to the .credit of this fund at the end of March last was £94,107.
During the past year the buses covered an aggregate mileage of 3,203,337, and carried 23,972,854 passengers, these figures showing increases of 496,168 and 425,513, respectively,
over the corresponding totals for the previous year. At the end of March last the buses were operating over a route mileage of 248, and at that time the corporation owned 201 buses, the double-deckers in use each seating from 61 to 70 persons, and the single-deckers from 38 to 40 passengers. In the main the fleet consists of Karrier, Thornycroft and Guy vehicles.
At the end of the period under review the capital expenditure on the bus system had amounted to £319,642, an imposing figure.
In the report mention is made of the fact that an agreement has been entered into with various railway and motorbus companies in connection with the operation of the road-transport services in the City of Liverpool and in the area In Lancashire comprised within a radius of eight miles from the pier head.