Oldham's 'modest' fares application succeeds
Page 35
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Oldham Corporation has been granted a fares increase which comes into effect on Sunday (February 18). The minimum 3d fare will be retained as will four other stages. Ten stages will be increased by id and two stages by 2d.
Childrens' fares and those on limited stop and football services will be increased proportionally. Consequential fares increases by joint operators were also granted.
Mr. J. B. S. Luckhurst, deputy borough treasurer, told the North Western Traffic Commissioner that the transport department's accumulated deficit for 1968/69 would be £.72,280 and the following year £110,480. The increase would bring in an estimated .03,500.
The deputy general manager, Mr. J. Marsh, said that since the Corporation's last fare increase in May 1966 it had reduced operations by 496,000 miles. The 1967 reduction figure of 237,000 miles did not take
into account the 185,000 miles lost during the overtime and standing passengers ban.
The fleet strength had been reduced by 33 vehicles since the last application due to these reduced mileages and the purchasing of bigger buses. It had 10 single-deckers and one-man operation had been introduced on two routes. It was hoped to commence another shortly. A further six single-deck buses suitable for this type of operation were to be delivered in March.
It was not felt such buses were suitable for peak-hour traffic but all future deliveries of double-deckers were to have separate doors for entrance and exit and con sideration would be given to one-man operation on these in due course.
The chairman of the Traffic Commissioners, Mr. C. R. Hodgson, said they felt the application modest and they hoped it would bring in the desired revenue.