Cardiff's Costs "Excessive," says Licensing Authority
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QTRONG words were used by the South Wales Licensing Authority when he heard Cardiff Transport Department's application to abolish workmen's tickets and fix a 2d. minimum fare. He described the proposals as"harsh" and stated: "The cost of operating Cardiff transport undertaking is going up steadily and I consider it is becoming excessive?'
He held that the present minimum ticket should remain, but longer lid. stages could be raised to 2d. He was prepared to sanction a 50-per-cent. increase in workmen's fares, but in no case should they exceed the normal stage-carriage rate.
A new fares schedule was presented to the Authority recently by the West Monmouthshire . Omnibus Boar d. Revised charges were approved. They are based on lid. per mile for single tickets plus 50 per cent, for returns.
Western Welsh Succeeds The Western Welsh Omnibus Co., Ltd , which already has its charges based on mileage, has been granted increases in respect of 21 routes hitherto not involved in fares revisions.
Only part of the Eastern National Omnibus concern's application to raise fares has been approved by the Eastern Licensing Authority. The original proposals were intended to increase revenue by £107.000 and to create a profit of £107,800 for 1952-53, but adjustments estimated to yield an additional £60,000 per annum only were granted.
The company wanted to add id. to all fares including an odd id., and Id., 2d., 3d. and 4d. to all fares up to and above lid., Is. 1 Id., 2& and 3s. 7d. respectively. A 10-per-cent. increase in season rates was also suggested.
The Authority pointed out that under the company's proposals, return fares would be more than double single fares. He suggested another scale permitting increases up to 2s., and fixing return rates at 11times the single charge.
Southdown Adds id.
The Metropolitan L ice n si rig
Authority has approved certain fares increases applied for by Southdown Motor Services, Ltd. The Id. fare rises by id., all fares between ld. and 11 id. being advanced.
The North Western Licens log Authority has granted the application of Blackpool Transport Department for higher fares, with certain modifications which concern contract rates.
To add £17,500 to its annual revenue, Southport Transport Department wishes to increase all fares above 2id. by id. It is hoped to save another £10,000 by service economies. Since the department's previous application to raise fares was heard in September, 1950. costs have gone up by £33,000.
• Chester Transport Department is to lodge an application for higher charges, but it is proposed to maintain the lid. minimum. It is reported that the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., may ask permission to raise its lid. fare to 2d. on some routes to bring charges into line with those of Bradford Transport Department.
The Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., is to seek increases concerning a number of services.
Oldham Transport Department wants to add id. to all tickets over lid. Last May, Id. fares were increased by id. The undertaking lost £32,349 in the past financial year and it is estimated that, if present rates continue, this year's deficit will be £40,533.
DEATH OF A VETERAN
ONE of the veterans of the industry, in the person of LIEUT.-COL. JAMES SEALY-CLARKE, died on September 21 at the age of 88. Horn in the West Indies, but educated at Cambridge and Sandhurst, he joined Spencer Moulton and Co., Ltd., in 1907, was president of
the Motor Trade Association in 1912, of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in 1924-25, and of the Research Association of British Rubber Manufacturers and, eventually, chairman, 1922-34.
Becoming a member of the Royal Automobile Club in 1907, he was vicechairman from 1932-34, chairman from 1936-45, and had been vice-president since 1946.
Lo.T. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
THE presidential address by Mr. A. B. B. Valentine to the Institute of Transport will be given on October 15, at 6.15 p.m., at the Jarvis Hall, 66, Portland Place, London, W.1, Other Institute meetings include:—
October 11, South Wales section, "Transport in Industry" by H. R. Cauffield-Giles, South Wales Institute of Engineers, Cardiff, 7 15 p.m.: Southern section. "Transport in Perspective" by M. A. Cameron, Harbour Offices, Southampton, 5.45 p.m, October 12, Northern section, "Transport Integration" by D. Bice, Royal Station Hotel, Newcastle, 7 p.m.