More Cars : Belfast Transport Suffers
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THE increasing number of private vehicles in Northern Ireland is having a twofold effect on Belfast Transport Department, according to the general manager's repcsrt for the year ended March 31 last.
Although, during 1954-55, the undertaking carried a slightly higher number of passengers, with a corresponding increase in revenue, than in the previous year, it is doubtful whether this improvement can be maintained next year because of the number of new private cars—between 700 and 800 a month—being registered, states the report. The number of motorcycles and power-driven cycles is also increasing.
Mr. J. Mackie, general manager, also comments on the parking of vehicles in the central area and on main roads. This has reduced the efficiency of these thoroughfares to something comparable with second-class county roads. Roads capable of carrying two lanes of traffic in each direction are reduced to onelane thoroughfares.
" This position inevitably leads to bunching of buses, low and uneconomic overall speeds, irregular frequencies and a generally less efficient service," continues Mr. Mackie, who recommends further one-way traffic schemes.
Because of the increasing cost of operation and higher loan charges, he is not optimistic about the immediate future. The best that can be expected on the basis of existing fares is that the department will break even during the current year.
SIMMS TO PAY BIGGER PENSIONS
IMPROVEMENTS have been made in I the pension scheme of Simms Motor Units, Ltd. The retirement pension for hourly rated employees is to be increased to £2 12s. for each year of service, including past service. Women are included in the new arrangements. The company will bear the cost of the increased premiums.
Last year, improvements were made in the staff pension and life assurance scheme, and the free life assurance for hourly rated male employees was increased from £100 to £200.
INSPECTORS HAVE TO DRIVE
A LL inspectors of West Bromwich Transport Department were recently transferred to driving duties to overcome a shortage of staff. The undertaking needs a third more drivers than it has at present. Aid. G. C. W. Jones, chairman of the transport committee, has stated that some services will have to be cut if the situation does not improve.
The time had come, he urged, when the problem of staggering working hours should be tackled imaginatively. Reasonable staggering could confer enormous benefits upon transport undertakings.