PTE courts sixteen private operators
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FIRST steps have been taken by the South Yorkshire PTE in implementing a policy guideline from the county council which points to the desirability of acquiring independent operators in its area. A letter expressing this intention has been sent to the 16 private operators in the areas who operate stage services. Mr H. N. Kay, the PTE's 'director of operations, told CAI this week. These operate between 250 and 300 vehicles, said Mr Kay. Not all of these were engaged on stage carriage and it was not yet clear whether private hire operations would be included in any takeovers. Mr Kay, who stressed that the policy was still at the very earliest stages. said that "initial approaches" had also been made to the National Bus Company which has several subsidiaries in its area.
The council has indicated that it is to spend £3.4m on subsidies to peg bus fares at the present level which has been unchanged since 1972. This policy will continue next year but at greatly increased cost because of inflation. The authority maintains that getting people back on the buses is a priority in the next few years.