Bus briefs
Page 34
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Tyneside Passenger Transport Authority is considering the imposition of a complete smoking ban in its buses.
• The Northern General Transport Co. Ltd, Gateshead, has estimated that the recent work to rule and later strike action by platform staff cost the firm £670,000 in lost revenue. The loss for the current year will be £200,000 but the company has applied for permission to raise its fares to help restore the position. During the work to rule, services were cut by 25 per cent for 10 weeks. Later, the firm's entire fleet of 950 buses was idle for a week.
• The purchase of 575 new buses during 1971 by the Ceylon Transport Board has been approved by the Ceylon Ministry of Planning. Meanwhile, a white paper is being prepared with a view to the CTB's reorganization to make it once again a profit-making body.
• Plaxton's (Scarborough) Ltd made a record number of coaches, increasing production by 10 per cent, in the year ended August 31 1970. Net profit on the coach department rose from £420,498 in 1969 to £447,482, but contrary to experience in previous years higher works labour costs reduced profit margin per vehicle. Plaxton's net profit before taxation amounted to £512,756 compared to £442,134 for the previous year; provision for corporation tax required £225,000 leaving a balance of £287,756. The purchase of Coach Fittings Developments Ltd—for £150,000, to be settled by a further issue of Plaxton's Ordinary shares—had been completed. Coach Fittings, a holding company, has two operating subsidiaries: Wilfred Overton Ltd, which makes locks, and Overton Doors Ltd, manufacturer of doors, metal trolleys and other equipment.
• Hartlepool Corporation has agreed to pay another lOs a week, in addition to the recently agreed national wage rise, to platform staff. In return, the employees have agreed to the use of more one-man buses, revised duty schedules and the installation of more bus stops.
• Teesside Corporation Transport Committee is not to oppose an application to the Northern Traffic Commissioners for higher fares by United Automobile Services Ltd. A number of routes on Teesside are covered by both Corporation and United buses.