No Mass Applications for " Permanent " Higher Fares ?
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1T is thought likely that a majority of the bigger bus companies will not seek extra fare increases to meet an expected " shortfall" on the yield from the higher fares provided for in the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties (Temporary Increase) Bill. Many operators have already applied, or are preparing applications, for higher fares following the recent pay award to workers in the industry.
Mr. F. A. Walker, secretary of the Passenger Vehicle Operators Association, told The Commercial Motor this week that Regional Fares Committees were considering the effect of the increased costs.
The higher price of fuel will cost the London Transport Executive about £2m. per year. The Executive said last week that the increase of 1d. on the 21d. minimum fare was substantially below that authorized by the new Bill.
To enable them to keep the increase to the minimum, they had taken into consideration recent economies and the probable increase in traffic resulting from fuel rationing. The 3d. fare will come into operation on January 1.
Cost to Operators The annual cost to the following municipal undertakings will be: Birmingham, £375,000 tan additional £52,000 representing the loss of rebate on fuel); Rotherham, £37,500; Newcastle upon Tyne, £80,000; West Bromwich, £35,000; Huddersfield, £30,000; Hull, £36,000; Blackpool, £40,000; Dundee, £57,000; Glasgow, £239,000.; Aberdeen, £60,000; Oldham, £42,900; Stockport, £38,000; Leigh. £12,000; Blackburn, £12,500; Sheffield. 1200,000; West Hartlepool, £14,000; Merthyr Tydfil, £30,000; Newport, £30,000; Southampton, £40,000; Nottingham, £60,000; and West Bridgford, £5,000.
Companies who have announced the annual cost of the increases are: Lincolnshire Road Car Co., Ltd., £75,000; East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd., £100,000; Lancashire United Transport, Ltd., £70,000; Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., £320,000; North Western Road Car Co., Ltd., £137,000; Scottish Omnibuses, Ltd., Wm.; Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., £200,000; Western Welsh Omnibus Co.. Ltd., £100,000; Barton Transport, Ltd., £65,000; and Potteries Motor Traction Co., Ltd., £132,000.
Coventry Transport Department, which had already applied for fare increases, faces a bill for an extra £60,000 a year.
1250,000 Proposals Withdrawn
At their meeting last week, Leeds Transport Committee withdrew proposals to raise fares by an extra £250,000 a year when the higher price of fuel was announced. It is now expected that they will need an extra £500,000 a year.
Mr. D. M. Sinclair, general manager of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., said the application for higher fares, heard this week, would now be "totally inadequate." They must consider a further increase in order to meet the rise in fuel prices. Before the increase in fuel prices had been announced, Nottingham Transport Commitee had recommended to the city council fare increases designed to meet an estimated deficit of £65,000. The higher rates were expected to yield an additional £138,000 a year.
Sheffield City Council last week approved the transport committee's recommendations for variations in fares which were expected to meet a deficit of £142,000 in 1958.
'Another applicant will be Wilts and Dorset Motor Services, Ltd.
Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., are to apply for higher fares consequent on the increase of £103,000 in costs following the wages award to staff. The company are expected to use the emergency powers to cover the £340,000 which the higher fuel prices will cost.
U.T.A. SEEK TO RAISE RATES
THE Ulster Transport Authority last week lodged with the Transport Tribunal an application for a 20-percent. increase in all maximum charges. Permission is to be sought to apply a 10-per-cent. rise in passenger fares and goods rates immediately.
The advance in fuel costs represents an additional £340,000 a year, and other rising expenses and wage claims about £250,000 a year. The Tribunal will meet on December 19 to consider the applications.
ST. HELENS CAN MEET RISES AR. J. C. WAKE, general manager IVI of St. Helens Transport Department, has told the transport committee that the undertaking can meet out of revenue the extra £18,000 needed in the current year because of the increases in fuel and wage costs. The committee approved his scheme for cutting fuel consumption by 10 per cent.
SMOKY VEHICLES' NUMBERS TO BE TAKEN
TO reduce the nuisance of excessive exhaust smoke, Sutton Coldfield Borough Council are to authorize public health inspectors to take the registration numbers of offending vehicles. Letters will be sent to the owners.
Under Regulation 27 (I) of the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations. 1953, local councils must supply to each other the names and addresses of owners of vehicles on request and on the submission of registration numbers.