Two Big Welsh• Operators Succeed
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South Wales Licensing Authority Rebukes Detractors : Dundee Adopts Stages of 0.66 Mile : Fares Up in Yorkshire
SUBJECT to the introduction of return fares where they do not exist at present, the South Wales Licensing Authority has granted the applications of South Wales Transport Co., Ltd., and United Welsh Services, Ltd., after hearings of the applications had been adjourned for 13 objectors to state their case.
Giving decision, Mr. H. J. Thom, the Licensing Authority, commented, " Much has been said that we are a rubber-stamping Licensing Authority. It is entirely unjustified, like many other uncalled-for remarks which have been made in the course of these r roeeedings."
The hearings lasted six days and decisions on the applications of J. James and Sons, Ltd., and Thomas Brothers (Port Talbot), Ltd., have been iiserved.
Remark Resented
For the objectors, Mr. Meurig Evans said that South Wales Transport had, in the past, been granted what they had asked for, and so looked forward to this occasion with pleasurable anticipation. Mr. Thom intervened to say that the suggestion made was not correct and was greatly resented.
Local authorities could appeal against the decision to the Ministry of Transport, said Mr. Thom. He added that he would be glad to have some principle on finance laid down in such applications, thus preventing a wastage of time, such as had been experienced in the present case. The application was regarded as a valuable and long step towards rationalization of fares on a mileage basis and towards keeping concession fares down in the interests of the travelling public.
Dundee Fares Up
Dundee Corporation have been granted permission to increase charges as applied for, that is, based on stage lengths of 0.66 mile. The fare scale now provides for two stages for 2d., four for 3d., and so on, up to 13 for 6d. Certain fares will remain unchanged and the new rates will be introduced on Sunday. Daring the hearing of the application it was stated that the new rates would provide a surplus on tram working of £70,435 a year, but taking into account the losses expected on bus working, a total surplus of £2,245 was expected.
Revised charges have been granted to A.A. Motor Services, Ltd., Ayr, affecting 10 routes, and to Ayrshire Bus Owners (A.1. Service), Ltd., Ardrossan, on 11 routes. Single fares of a lid. and 2d. will go up by id. where they have not previously been raised, whilst return fares will be increased by id. to 3d.
Glasgow Corporation have been granted revised children's fares.
Trent Motor Traction, Ltd., may now increase charges on 24 services, bringing them into line with those of a6 Nottingham Corporation on common sections of route.
Cardiff Corporation have withdrawn their application to abolish workmen's concession fares.
Fifteen services are affected by the decision of the West Midland Licensing Authority, granting Messrs. Wye Valley Motors, Hereford, new charges.
Last Friday, the Yorkshire Licensing Authority granted Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., permission to modify fares in the Yorkshire area. The new charges are the same as those granted in other areas in which Ribble operate, and include additions of id. to single fares of Id. to 21d. and Id. to those over 21d. New return fares have also been granted to compensate for the increases.
The Yorkshire Licensing Authority has also approved the applications of West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., and York Corporation to revise charges in York. Single fares of it to 41d. will now rise by id. and those over 5d. by Id. Multiple-journey tickets will go up by 3d. and 6d Decision was reserved on the application of Hull Corporation. The corpora
tion proposed to increase fares to 1.Id. per mile, to abolish workmen's returns and to introduce new children's and special-service charges. These changes, it was submitted, would augment revenue by £26,000 a year.
Between July, 1951, and January, 1953, wage costs alone had gone up by £58,538, whilst the increase in the cost of fuel following last year's Budget added £16,000 a year to motorbus working costs. On present charges, there would be an accumulated deficit on April I of £41,567. Last year the trolleybuses had made a surplus of. £49,770, whereas the motorbuses had incurred a deficit of £60,505.
Concession to Go?
Huddersfield Corporation's application to abolish workmen's return fares on motorbus services has also been heard. It was stated that this proposal would augment revenue by £19,000 a year and offset a rise in costs of £20,500 caused by fuel-tax and wage increases. Higher charges granted in April, 1952. had been estimated to produce a surplus of £12,500 in the year ending on March 31 next. It was now expected that the surplus would be under £1,000.
For the corporation, it was stated that out of a fleet of 96 vehicles, 19 were used for only two hours daily and another 20 less than 41 hours daily.