Coach Fares Now 25 Per Cent.
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Above Pre-war Level
FROM December 16, all fares on express services radiating from London will be increased by 7 1/7th per cent, above the 1946 level, thus making them 25 per cent. higher than the pre-war figure. Giving decision on the blanket application, lodged by over 100 operators, the Metropolitan Licensing Authority states that these changes are as recommended by the Central Fares Committee.
Fares for destinations not included in the pre-war schedules are not affected by this decision. Proposals to raise fares in these cases will have to be made separately.
First Since 1912
Making its first application for increased fares since 1912, Cumberland Motor Services, Ltd., was recently granted permission by the Northern Licensing Authority to raise single fares. Return fares up to 5d„ which it had been proposed to abolish, will be retained. Some other modifications were permitted.
It was stated at the hearing that operating costs in 1949.were 19.2d. per mile, compared with 10.41d. per mile in 1939. In that year, operational profit was 1.48d. per bus-mile, whereas in 1950 there was an operating loss of 0,45d. per mile. Out of 49 services, 34 were operated below cost in 1950, so that of an annual mileage of over 7m., 47 per cent, was unremunerative.
At Newcastle-on-Tyne, the Northern Licensing Authority granted modifications in fares to Venture Transport. Ltd. Increases sanctioned include id. on fares up to 40., and Id. on fares from 6d. to Is., and up to 4d. on fares between 2s. 8d. and 4s. Id.
Liverpool Corporation has been granted permission to convert to bus working, tram services between Bootle, Litherland and Seaforth. Seeking to bring its fares into conformity with those of the corporation, which has a lid. minimum, Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., has had its application deferred. The North Western Licensing Authority has requested the concern to discuss the position with local councils.
Thirteen joint services operating from Manchester will be subject to higher return rates as a result of another decision by the same Authority. A number of similar services is affected by other applications reported in "The Commercial Motor dated November 10.
Following the lead of larger operators in the East Midlands, a number of smaller firms has now lodged applications for higher rates.
Small increases have been granted to Barton Transport, Ltd., and Grimsby Corporation (revisions) involving one or two routes, and further increases are now proposed by Grimsby to affect routes on which fares so far have remained unchanged.
P.M.T. Application
A general revision of fares is proposed by Potteries Motor Traction, Ltd., in an application affecting 39 routes. The minimum fare is to be raised to lfd. and the minimum return fare to Is. 3d. Workmen's fares are also affected. Majestic Express Motors, Ltd., Stockport, seeks permission to put up the fare on its Manchester-London express service. Townspeople of Luton held a meeting last week to protest against the proposals to increase fares in the town. Other operators in the Metropolitan Area seeking higher fares include Aldershot and District Traction Co., Ltd., and Birch Bros., Ltd., both of which run services over routes on which other operators have been granted increases.