Fare Plan to Regain Lost Traffic
Page 42
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
XPERIMENTAL "housewives fares" I—, are to be introduced by the Gosport and Farcham Omnibus Co. in an effort to win back lost traffic. The company were last week given a dispensation by the South Eastern Traffic Commissioners to operate a maximum fare of 3d. on all routes terminating at Gosport from 9.30 a.m, to noon, and 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.
The scheme will be tried for three months, starting next Monday, with the reduced fares operating between Monday and Friday, Existing 2d. and 3d. fares will not be affected, but all those from 4d. will be cut to 3d. for 41 hours.
Mr. A. J. Whittaker, traffic manager, told the Commissioners that the scheme would become a permanent feature if it proved successful. Answering Mr. H. J. Thom, chairman, he denied that if it failed there would have to be fare increases to pay for the experiment.
For the company, Mr. S. D. Herington said it was a bold plan to attract lost passengers. In previous years 20m. passengers had been carried, but this dropped in 1957 to 15m. A check taken last October showed that unless more traffic was gained there would be a loss of £1,788 on the quarter.
Not Suitable for H. and D.
Mr. D. W. Morison, traffic manager for Hants and Dorset Motor Services, Ltd., said the two companies had discussed joint routes, but he did not think it would be practicable to extend the experiment to services operated by his company.
Nottingham Corporation have been given permission by the East Midland Commissioners to increase some of their fares (The Commercial Motor, last week). The minimum 2d, fare for one stage will remain, but for journeys between one and two stages the fare will be 21d. Children's fares will not be altered, nor will fares for up to six stages, with a maximum of 6d.
Chester Increases
Workmen's fares on Chester Corporation buses will end after January 19, and other fares will be increased. The North Western Commissioners agreed to the revisions.
Existing 34. and 4d. fares will go up by id., and there will be additions of 1d. and ld. to 5d. and 6d. fares. The children's new minimum will be lid. Mr. H. J. Hooley, general manager, said the increases should yield £13,120 a year, which would be necessary to avoid having to meet heavy losses on the undertaking from the rates.
When Southport Corporation applied on Monday to increase fares on a revised mileage basis, Mr. P. P. Bailey-Brown. deputy town clerk, told the North Western Traffic Commissioners that there were now 16,000 television licences in Southport, compared with 10,000 two years ago, and the streets were almost deserted in the evening.
He said it was estimated that the new schedule would bring £26.396 in a full year. Despite considerable economies, the transport department expected a loss of 134,206 in the current year, and if the present downward trend continued. revenue from passengers would he £23,125 less than in 1956-57.
The application was granted.