Bingo Beats Blackpool Buses
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1‘40-PEDS, private cars, television. IVI and now bingo? Bingo is the latest threat to bus companies' receipts, at least in Blackpool where, last Friday the North Western Traffic Commissioners reserved their decision on an application for higher fares made by the corporation transport undertaking.
For the corporation, Mr. James Booth said: " Bingo is definitely in competition with the transport undertaking. It is a fact that people come to Blackpool for bingo rather than for their health."
Many holidaymakers preferred to play bingo in the cinemas, arcades and dance halls instead of having a ride on the trams, Mr. Booth slated before the court.
Later, the general manager, Mr. J. C. Franklin, said the fact that thousands of people were every day playing bingo in Blackpool was obviously affecting sightseeing trips. Trams going to the beaches, cliffs and bathing pools were losing passengers to the game.
The Commissioners were told that the undertaking will have lost £97,000—due mainly to wage awards—by the end of the financial year. If the application is granted the minimum fare will rise from 21d. to 3d., and id. will be added to fares from 4d. to 7d. and 2d, to all fares over 8d.