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Bigger surplus for Merseyside PTE

11th August 1972, Page 26
11th August 1972
Page 26
Page 26, 11th August 1972 — Bigger surplus for Merseyside PTE
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• Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive earned an operating surplus of £1,173,567 in the year ended December 31, 1971 compared with £508,013 in the previous 13 months from the PTE's foundation. This is revealed in the annual report, published last week.

The better figures have been obtained despite a reduction in the rate precept from 44p in the £ to lp in the 1. After writing off revenue losses, the net surplus was £785,000 compared with £314,000 in the previous period. The report shows that there was a 3.2 per cent increase in the number of miles operated. This is accounted for by the relaxation in drivers' hours limitations, better driver-recruitment and the growth of one-man operation.

The Merseyside PTE fleet now consists of a total of 1330 buses, of which only 157 are single-deckers. The double-deckers are divided almost equally between frontentrance and rear-platform models, there being 644 of the former and 529 of the latter. A total of 276 buses is equipped with two-way radios and a further 230 now on order will also be fitted.

The report gives the findings of an investigation within the PTE of the use made of centre exits on buses fitted with two sets of doors. "On the majority of services and at most times of day this lay-out offers little over the single-door vehicles in terms of reduced times at stops and on the basis of these it has been decided that the needs of the passenger will best be met by the 9.5m rear-engined double-deck single-door bus with combined front entrance/exit and forward ascending staircase." says the report.

During this week there has been another survey at Merseyside. This has been into the use of the comprehensive free travel tickets issued to elderly and disabled people on April 1 this year. The first of their type in the country, the tickets replaced a system where passes were provided by local authorities. To pay for the system an addition of lp was made to the rate precept. Results of the survey will be used to assess the cost of the scheme and to assist in future bus scheduling.

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