Phases of Passenger Travel
Page 65
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Notes on a Variety of Aspects of Coach and Bus Travel
YORK TRANSPORT MANAGER'S REPORT.
A Policy of Keeping Equipment and Rolling Stock in Sound Condition is Strongly Urged.
THE annual report of the York Corporation transport manager states that the balance of last year shows a loss of £5.785, from which has to be deducted £2,015 brought forward from the previous year, reducing the net loss to £3,770. This amount looks alarming, but after taking into consideration the mass of Work which has been accomplished and the new machinery and plant that has been erected in the works, the result is satisfiactory, and the loss is almost wiped out, for these figures are really of a capital nature.
There are various reasons, the transport manager explains, for the deficit.
During the six years prior to his taking charge no improvements had been made to the depot workshops or rolling stock, and in order to keep the rolling stock and track in condition for a period of 10 years several essential matters had to be attended to. The transport department, with an outstanding capital debt on tramways of £126,522, would otherwise become chargeable to the rotes, at an estimated figure of 8d., for a period of 10 years, or did. for 21 years.
Many of the motorbuses were completely overhauled, it being found ini
perative that this work should be carPried out to prevent the occurrence of a considerable number of breakdowns. Had this not been done it naturally would have involved a greater sum of money being spent at a later date, in addition to resulting in an inefficient service. Several engines were found, on dismantling, to require reboring and the fitting of oversize pistons ; sometimes re-sleeving of the cylinders was carried out. A systematic cycle of garage days is now in operation, and this will save A great deal in the cost of renewals, also increasing the life of the vehicles.
The railless system was discontinued on December 31st, 1529, and the deficit on the year, amounting to £1,474, has also been charged against this year's revenue.
It is, the report states, for the com. mittee to decide whether the policy of keeping the rolling stock, track and overhead equipment in first-class condition is to be continued. One must not forget that there is a tremendous capital debt outstanding on the system. If the policy be adopted of allowing the rolling stock, permanent way and overhead equipment to become beyond repair, the existing capital outstanding must still be paid off, and this can only be done from the rates at the figures already quoted.
The manager strongly recommends the committee to keep the department up to date, rather than to allow the whole of the rolling stock to become obsolete in a period of about three
years. The latter, policy might show a profit for the present but they would, later, have to face the ratepayers with a huge capital debt and no assets.