Operating Aspects of
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Passenger Transport
MUNICIPAL BUS RESULTS FROM MANY QUARTERS
f200,000 PROFIT ON 'BIRMINGHAM'S TRANSPORT.
DURING the year ended March 31 , last, the revenue from Birmingham Corporation's tramways undertakings declined by approximately 180,000. The total operating expenditure was, however, reduced by £67,000, consequently the gross profit was only £13,000 less than last year. "
Although the motorbus mileage increased by 850,000, the revenue was only 117,500 higher. This was due largely to the development of the housing estates, whilst the operating expenses increased by £57,000. The result is a gross profit of approximately £40,000 less than last year.
The increased cost of petrol accounted for £30,000, whilst no new buses were purchased during the year, in respect of which mileage would have been obtained without maintenance charges. Licences cost an extra £4,000 and wages £15,000 more.
Out of the gross profit of £459,470 there fell to be met interest and sinking fund charges, etc., totalling 1196,778. The amount required for income tax was £57,517, leaving a net profit of £205,175, from which £20,000 was contributed to the general rate fund, £59,793 to renewals, and £125,381 to special expenditure account.
In view of the policy of purchasing buses out of revenue, it should be pointed out that neither depreciation nor loan charges appear in the accounts in respect of the garages or the vehicles, and it is' therefore necessary to purchase at least 60 bUges each year for replacements. They will have to be made, in the near future, at an approximate cost of 190,000.
BUS WORKING AT MAIDSTONE.
IN the year ended March 31, 1933, Maidstone Corporation made a gross profit of £11,601 on its trolley-buses and £1,166 on its motorbuses, the figures being in respect of 15 of the former type and 13 of the latter. The net revenue accounts show that there was a balance on the trolley vehicles of £500, and a net loss on the motorbuses of £1,828. Total income for the trolley-buses was £31,504, whilst working expenses totalled £19,862, the comparable returns for motorbuses being total income £15,119 and working expenses £13,954, leaving a small gross profit.
MANCHESTER'S £60,500 PROFIT.
DURING the year ended March 81 last, Manchester Corporation's transport department worked at a net profit of £60,500, as compared with £34,366 a year ago. The receipts amounted to £2,095,981, this figure representing a decrease of £9,923 over 1931-32.
On the combined tram and bus systems, 834,779,964 passengers were carried, or 10,767,508 fewer than in 1931-32. The bus receipts amounted to 1679,5934 an increase of £71,684. On this section of the system, 86,261,705 passengers were carried, showing an increase of 10,273,650.
It is mentioned that the concession tickets, introduced last year, are proving popular, receipts from this source having amounted to £16,852.
MUNICIPAL BUS RESULTS AT LEICESTER.
DURING the year ended Mereh 31, 1933, the 62 motorbuses owned by Leicester Corporation were operated at a gross profit of £9,198, the total revenue having been 1102,069 and working expenses £92,871. Interest, ' redemption of debt and tax charges totalled 18,130, so that the net balance was £1,068.
The buses covered an aggregate mileage of 1,735,843 and carried 15,302,829 passengers. Reduced to a per-bus-mile basis, total receipts averaged 14.11d. and working expenses 12.84d.—in both cases a reduction on the previous year.
The gross capital expenditure on Leicester's bus system up to the end of March last was £134,353. OLDHAM'S DEFICIT BECOMES A BIG SURPLUS.
TEE financial result of the year's working of the buses of Old-ham Corporation to March 31, 1933, shows a surplus of £9,950, as compared with a deficit of £3,209 a year earlier. Total income amounted to £99,419, whilst working expenses totalled £74,420, the amount to be carried to the net revenue account thus being 124,999. Interest, tax and sinking fund reduce this.
During the past year the buses covered an aggregate mileage of 1,665,869 and carried 12,742,018 passengers, the average fair paid per passenger being 1.851d., and the average number of passengers carried per mile 7.7. At the end of March last the capital expenditure on the bus system amounted to 1139,066.
Oldham Corporation operates a fleet of 56 buses ; 46 are equally divided between Guy and Leyland makes, and 10 are A.E.C.s.
WARRINGTON'S POSITION.
WE are now able to supplement the brief information given in our issue dated June 16 concerning the financial position of Warrington's municipaltransport undertaking.
During the year ended March 31 last, the buses made a net profit of £12,957, and the trams a net profit of £2,027. In the bus department, the total income amounted to £44,427, as compared with £36,155 in the previous year. After subtracting an expenditure of £29,801, a gross profit of -114,626 was obtained, as compared with a gross surplus of £12,552 in thewyear ended March, 1932. Income tax and interest absorbed £1,669, giving a net profit, as stated, of £12,957. In the previous year a net profit of £11,317 was obtained.
The increased working cost is principally the result of extensions to the transport system, although the costs on a per-bus-mile basis were 11.316d. last
year and 12.118d. a year earlier. .