Traffic Jams Cause Loss
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at Newport
TRAFFIC jams which slowed up buses I in Newport, Mon, caused the transport department to lose money. Mr. George Twigg, traffic superintendent, said this at Newport, last week, when the undertaking successfully applied to the South Wales Traffic Commissioners for fares increases to take effect from Easter Sunday.
Many passengers booked for only a certain distance and then walked the remainder of their journey because of traffic hold-ups, he added.
For the corporation, Mr. Harold Greenhalgh said that the undertaking had a 125,000 accumulated deficiency on March 31. It was proposed . that the minimum adult fare should he 3d., which covered a journey -of 0.7 of. it mile. Juvenile fares would be amended proportionately.
The sole reason for the application was that in January it was plain that by the end of the financial year, in March, A28 the undertaking would be faced with the certainty of a continuing annual loss. The estimated deficiency for the year 1960-61 would be more than £17,000, making the total deficiency, by March 31, f961, about £42,000.
These figures had been based on suppositions that there would be no increases in labour and other costs. There had since been awards to traffic staff and craftsmen. " In fact," said Mr. Greenhalgh, "the estimated surplus that we hoped would result, if this application were successful, will be turned into an annual deficit of about £7,000."
Mr. Ernest Jones, borough treasurer, said that the proposed increases would produce' £50,000 a year. An allowance had been made for "fares resistance.". , Turnover of staff was high, said Mr. Twigg, and beeause of the staff shortages an excessive amount of overtime was being worked. The annual overtime cost was estimated at £60,000.