'Bus firms not trying to get passengers back' Council
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l'iHE East Midlands Traffic Commissioners at Nottingham were told on Friday that bus companies made no attempt to attract people back to buses but "just go on increasing fares".
The allegation was made by Mr. J. A. Green, clerk to Kirkby-in-Ashfield Urban Council, at an inquiry into an application by Trent Motor Traction Co. for fares increases of about Id.
Said Mr. Green: "A considerable proportion of my townspeople will suffer a 10 per cent increase if the application is granted, and that, I think, is unfair.
"It is only 14 months ago that we were all here before you for the very same reasons. We ask you to treat this application as premature."
Mr. W. R. Hargrave, for the company, said expenditure had gone up during the year and the number of passengers gone down.
Mr. A. H. Sharp, for Hucknall Urban Council, said his council felt very seriously about the profit element in the matter. In its view the company was in a very special position in that it had practically no competitors.
He said the shareholders should pay, through reducing dividends, for the losses, as well as people using the buses.
Mr. S. W. R. Christmas, clerk to Mansfield Borough Council, said his area was served by only one of the company's services —route 62, the only public transport link between Mansfield and Nottingham.
The proposal would mean that the return fare would rise from 4s. 9d. to 5s. 6d.—an increase of 3s. 9d. for a five-day week.
The Commissioners reserved their decision.