Higher Fares if Fuel Tax Stays ?
Page 47
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
DESPITE an estimated net surplus of £164,402 at the end of the current financial year (The Commercial Motor, last week), Birmingham Transport Department may find it necessary to seek a further increase in fares.
"Unless we get a reduction in the fuel tax, it may well be that your committee will have to look at ways of raising more money," Aid. H. Walton, chairman of the transport committee, told the city council last week.
From September 13, 1953, until the end of last December, wage awards had cost the department £452,785. "It may be expected in the ensuing 12 months that the committee may have to make additional calls hs the way of wage rates," said Ald. Watton.
In an attempt to improve efficiency, the department was investigating the use of a new oil which was likely to increase engine life by "at least25 per cent., and was experimenting with lightweight buses.
TROLLEYBUSFS DISLIKED
THE commission which inquired into bus services in Ceylon have firmly decided against the further introduction of trolleybuses. They have been influenced by London' Transport's policy of converting trolleybus services to motorbus working. Arguments against the trolley bus are its high first cost, the expense of overhead installations, lack of flexibility and risk of total cessation of services in the event of a power breakdown.
BELGIUM FINES DRIVERS
AFINE of 26 francs (about 3s. 3d.) each, with the alternative of eight days' imprisonment, was imposed on three British coach drivers by an Ostend court, last week, for driving coaches through Belgium to Germany without authorization. A similar ' sentence. was imposed on the operator, Mr. Lewis Leroy, Lewis Touring Co., Tunbridge Wells.