18 Councils Oppose Oxford Fare Application : Barrow Refused
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IGHTEEN local councils were among the 20 objectors who last week opposed proposals by City of Oxford Motor Services, Ltd., to raise fares.
Mr. .1. Atkinson, for Oxford and Berkshire County Councils, said the company's draft accounts showed clearly that an increase would not be justified and might, in fact. merit keen criticism.
Stating that the company's costs had risen by £223,000 a year since 1946, Mr. S. D. Herington, for the applicants, said the estimated increase this year was £47,500.
Referring to a suggestion by the objectors that the hearing of the application be adjourned until after the Budget, Mr. Herington said it was unreasonable to speculate on such things.
Postponement Unjustified
Mr. A. G. Curtis, chairman of the East Midland Licensing Authority, thought there were no adequate grounds for postponing the hearing. "We are not satisfied that possible changes in the Budget, about which none of us has any information at all, would be justification for postponing the hearing."
Decision was reserved.
Because he considered their proposals inadequate, the Northern Licensing Authority last week rejected an application by Barrow-in-Furness Corporation to add Ad. to the 21d.-4,1d. fares and Id. to 5d. and 6d. rates.
Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, chairman, said that a comprehensive survey of the undertaking should be made and fares increased to provide a reasonable margin of profit. Consideration should also be given to abolishing the multiplejourney ticket and similar concessions.
Ile offered to hold a special meeting as soon as possible to hear the corporation's new proposals.
Thames Valley Succeed
The Thames Valley Traction Co., Ltd., have been granted increases estimated to produce an extra C86,900 a year. Their application was opposed by 15 local authorities.
Proposals to increase season-ticket rates by 20 per cent., and to deduct from th, . estimated additional revenue on higher fares generally 2 per cent. for passenger resistance, were rejected by the "South Eastern Licensing Authority.
Announcing decision, Mr. H. I. Thom, chairman, said: "The balance asked for is not unreasonable, the fares resulting from the application are not; as far as we can see, unreasonable, and, if we have to consider dividends, we consider they are not unreasonable.
" We are not able to accept the company's 2 per cent, as a fair figurO for reducing the gross revenue as a result of the proposed increases," Mr.
Thom went on. We cannot accept B6 that 425,000 should be deducted from the additional revenue to meet a hypothetical resistance."
He welcomed the assurance that the company would come forward in a few months' time with a rationalized fare structure.
Objections Withdrawn
When the Yorkshire Woollen District Transport Co., Ltd., applied for permission to raise their fares before the Yorkshire Licensing Authority last week, Mr. W. R. Hargrave, for the company, said that objections by a number of local councils had now been withdrawn.
If the application were succossful. the company hoped the proposals would bring in £49.400 a year. Estimated increased costs during 1954 were £50,090.
Decision was deferred.
Ipswich Town Council have referred back to the transport committee a recommendation that a deficit of £26,540 on the corporation's buses should be met by increasing fares (The Commercial Motor last week).
Calling for an assurance from the committee that they would in future give people a better service for their money, lIr. 0. S. Nunn said: "The people in this town have very little confidence in the transport undertaking at the moment. We want fresh blood and fresh ideas, and a sprucing-up of the whole system."
OBITUARY
WE regret to record the deaths of VY MR. W. E. REEVE, MR. R. 1-fitcotry, D.Sc., M.A., F.S.A.A., F.C.I.S., and MR. HUBERT H. BURTON.
Mr. Reeve was for many years chairman of Maidstone Sub-area of the Road Haulage Association and road leader of the local road-rail negotiating committee. He was 53.
Mr. Hindley. a practising accountant in Manchester, was for some years national treasurer and chairman of the finance committee of the former Associated Road Operators. He was iargely responsible for that organization's financial stability. When he died last week he was 62.
Mr, Burton was co-founder of the John Bull Rubber Co., Ltd. For a number of years he was managing director of the company and chairman of Metalastik, Ltd., an associated concern. He was 67.