B.M.M.O. and Lincoln Seek Higher Fares
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THE alternative would be to make substantial cuts in services, particularly in those where heavy losses were being incurred, Mr. D. M. Sinclair, general manager of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., said, last week, when he announced that the company had applied for permission to increase certain fares.
It is proposed to raise single and scholars' return fares from 23-d. to 8d. by id., and those of 81d. and over by Id. Workers and miners' returns from 6l-d. to llid. would be increased by 2d., and those of Is and over by 3d.
The reasons for the application were stated to be an increase of nearly £100,000 a year in costs, but apart from that, higher revenue was needed to enable them properly to fulfil their obligations.
Mr. Sinclair pointed out that if the application were granted, the average increase in fares since before the war would be only 46 per cent.
Faced with an estimated loss of £35,000 at the end of the financial year, Lincoln Transport Department is to seek authorization for higher fares which are expected to yield an extra £26,000 a year. The proposals are to shorten the minimum 2d. fare stage and to add 4d. to all further stages. The council want to introduce concession fares for old-age pensioners.
Since 1953, Lincoln has saved £7,780 in wages, £2,755 by reducing staff, and £2,174 in fuel costs.
Blackburn Transport Committee may propose higher fares following an adverse report on the undertaking's financial position.
Cleethorpes Fares Up
THE East Midland Traffic Commissioners have authorized Cleethorpes Transport Department to reduce the length of fare stages. The grant will bring the fares on Cleethorpes' services in line with those charged by Grimsby Transport Department.
Mr. G. Sutcliffe, town clerk, said that every possible practical economy had been made. The estimated deficit for the current year was £11,889, which included an estimated 73-per-cent. rise in wages.
Allowing for an increase in receipts as a result of the proposed new fares, the estimated deficit for the current year was £9,589. The proposed increases were expected to produce about £9,347 in a full year.
Fight to Keep Concessions
APROPOSAL by the Northern Traffic Commissioners to abolish workers' fares in the Stockton municipal transport -undertaking is now to be opposed by the local councils of Billingham, Thornaby and Stokesley, as well as Stockton and Middlesbrough. Several local organizations are also expected to press for the retention of the concession rates.