Blackpool Seeks 2d.• Minimum: Other Councils in Difficulties
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1DRESENTING • its application for 1 higher fares to the North Western Licensing Authority, last Friday, Blackpool Corporation indicated that its running costs were, below the average for municipal undertakings. The application was made to meet rising costs and to prevent a repetition of the defigit of last year.
Speaking before the hearing, Mr.
Walter Luff, general manager, declared that Blackpool's bus operating costs were 19.65d. per mile, compared with the average of 23.859d. per mile of other resorts and industrial towns. Trams cost 25.85d. per mile, compared with an average of 27.772d. per mile.
The basis of the undertaking's application was the introduction of a 2d. minimum charge. According to Mr. Luff, 12 other undertakings already charged this minimum and application to introduce it was being made by 11 others.
Eliminating Halfpennies The application sought also to add Id. to all fares containing an odd id. About 50 per cent, of the municipal charges were affected. The application was opposed a n d the Licensing Authority reserved decision.
Stating that if fares did not go up, a deficit of £3,908 would be incurred this year, Haslingden Corporation also applied recently to the North Western Licensing Authority for higher charges. Permission to abolish ordinary return fares, to increase the Id. charge to lid., and the lid, one to 2d. was sought. A reduction in the availability of work men's tickets was also proposed. A loss of £1,634 was incurred in 19511952.
N8rthampton to Apply Having last increased charges in September, 1951, Northampton Corporation is to apply again. It is suggested that the lid, ticket should be available for one-stage journeys only, that the 2d. ticket should cover two stages, and that there should be Id. -and Id. additions to the cost of other tickets. A loss of £40,000-£50,000 is expected on the current year's working.
Isle of Man Road Services, Ltd,, has applied to the Highway Board to raise fares because of increase in the taxes on petrol and oil fuel, which will cost the concern over £20,000 a year. The application was lodged last week and was due to become operative to-day, provided that it was confirmed.
It was proposed to add id. to single fares up to lid., ld, to fares of 4d.-I Id. 2d. to fares of Is.-1s. lid., and 3d. to fares of 2s. and over, also to adopt a 2d. minimum. Return charges were also to advance.
When South Shields Town Council met this week, it considered a proposal from the transport committee to adopt a 2d. minimum fare on the municipal
motorbus and trolleybus services and to abolish scholars' 20-journey trolleybus tickets.
An 'application by Caerphilly Urban District Council to raise charges on all its services and on the Tredegar-Cardiff route operated jointly with Cardiff Transport Department and the West Monmouthshire Omnibus Board was heard by the South Wales Licensing Authority, last week. The Authority was in favour of the increases proposed. The Metropolitan Li c ens ing Authority has granted permission to the Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., to raise fares on three Cambridge-Royston services and from Bassingbourn aerodrome to Royston. Single fares up to 50. are increased by id., and higher denominations rise by a maximum of 4d. Return charges are also increased.
A presidential chair has been installed in the council room of the Institute of Transport to commemorate the secretaryship of Mr. A.. Winter Gray, from 1923-41.