Municipal Traffic Loss Continues
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THE loss of traffic which has been evident for several years shows little sign of change, says Mr. J. E. Frith, general manager of Derby Omnibus Department, in his annual report. He expects it to continue. Cuts in off-peak services have been made, but a point has been reached at which any further major adjustment must lead to the withdrawal of a number of lightly loaded services at certain times of the week. This action could not be taken except in the gravest circumstances.
Mr. Frank S. Taylor, general manager of Newcastle upon Tyne Transport Department, estimates in his annual report that about £100,000 a year in
operating costs could be saved if the average speed of scheduled bus services could be increased by 1 m.p.h.
Warrington Transport Department lost nearly 2m. passengers last year. Mr. N. McDonald, general manager, says in his annual report that the routes should he completely reorganized.
Ipswich Transport Department's traffic declined last year by 4.8 per cent. Economies exceeded expectations by nearly £4,000.
Southport Transport Department suffered a fall in traffic of nearly 4.3 per cent., caused mainly by increased fares. Mr. Jackson Hoggard, general manager, in his annual report is, however, hopeful
that the current year will be financially more successful.
Mr. I. 0. Fisher, general manager of Rotherham Transport Department, also expresses concern over the decline in traffic, which amounted to about 2+ par cent. It was caused partly by short-time working in Rotherham and Sheffield.
He says that although Rotherham's fares have been among the lowest in the country, resistance by passengers to higher charges is greater now than ever before. Rising costs must be countered by further economies. " If the trend of reducing traffic continues, as well it may do (although there are signs that the position is getting more static) reduced frequencies may well be the pattern of future operation," he comments.
The joint municipal undertakings of Grimsby and Cleethorpes carried 196,000 fewer passengers. Mr. J. Rostron, general manager, reminds the traffic committee that steps to meet competition from personal transport must always be under consideration.
The number of passengers carried last year by Bradford Transport Department fell by 3.8m. A deficit of £60,000 was incurred through paying £208,000 debt charges under a policy of freeing the department from debt by March, 1962.