Higher Pay
Page 47
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Higher Fares
ANEW application for higher fares will be made by Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., if an increase in wages is paid to company bus workers in the provinces. Pending a decision on the pay claim, the hearing of the company's latest application (The Commercial Motor, November 12) is being delayed
by the Licensing Authority.
Consequent on the recent award dl 8s. a week to bus drivers and conductors, various municipal transport departments are likely to seek permission for higher fares.
In Salford, where the pay increase will cost an extra £37,000 a year, the transport committee has said that they will have to give " serious consideration" to raising fares.
Walsall Town Council are to be asked to increase the 11d. minimum fare to 2d., and the worker's return by Id., to meet an additional labour cost of £30,000 a year.
The wages bill at West Bromwich has been increased by between £15,000 and £18,000. Aid. G. C. W. Jones, chairman of the transport committee, said recently: "1 don't know how we can get by without increasing fares."
Southport Transport Committee, where the award will cost £9,250, are to prepare "such proposals as they think necessary to adjust the financial position."
Birkenhead Transport Committee are to consider increasing fares or modifying services to offset the addition of £30,000 to yearly expenditure created by the new wage award.
Cllr. R. Jotinson, chairman, considers that because many other undertakings will make applications to raise fares, the sooner Birkenhead joins the queue," the sooner the case will be heard by the Licensing Authority.
One exception is Stockton-on-Tees, where the cost will be £17..000. Hinting that there would be no immediate fare increase, Ald . M M Kelly, chairman of the transport committee, said: "We are rather fortunate in Stockton. -The shoe will pinch a bit, but I think we will weather the storm Without a great deal of difficulty."
New fares were introduced in Bohan almost simultaneously with the award of higher pay. Another 135,000has been added to annual costs.