C.I.E. Loses £2m; Road Services Pay
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THE Irish Republic's State-owned
transport undertaking, Co ras Iompair Eireann, last year lost £2,017,083, compared with a deficit of £2,091,720 in the year ended March 31, 1952. The railways were responsible for £1,535,016 of the loss.
Road passenger services were run at a profit of £259,792 and the road goods vehicles earned a surplus of £33,913. Receipts from the buses and coaches were more than £200,000 greater than in 1951-52, but, because of increased costs and taxation, the profit was £130,000 lower.
Extended coach tours carried 50 per cent, more passengers than in 1951-52 and receipts rose from £21,000 to £33,500. Revenue from day tours likewise increased by £6,000 to £56,100.
Revenue from road freight rose by £180,000, but costs increased even more. The profit of £33,913 compared with a loss of over £10,000 in 1951-52. There was a general downward trend in goods traffic, but C.I.E. lorries carried a greater tonnage than in the previous year, partly because of a large expansion in county council work.
The annual report of C.I.E., published last week, says that large economies have been achieved by imposing time standards on the movements and loading and unloading of goods vehicles.
Members of the staff who qualify by examination for associate membership of the Institute of Transport now receive a special increment in salary.
The book life of buses and coaches has been extended from 10 to 12iyears, but that of goods vehicles has not been changed.
OTHER OPERATORS "CASHED IN" ON EVIDENCE?
AN allegation that other operators had" cashed in " on the evidence of need provided. by his client was made by Mr. A. H. Wild, for Mr. George Matthews, when Mr. Matthews' appeal against a decision of the Eastern Licensing Authority was heard at Cambridge_ The appeal was in respect of conditions limiting the operation of a stage service between Shouldham and King's Lynn.
Mr. William Carter and Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., were respondents.
Mr. Wild submitted that Mr. Matthews had proved the need for B4 additional services from Shouldham when he originally applied for a licence, and that Mr. Carter, who applied after his client, had been granted a share of the service on the strength of that evidence.
Mr. A. W. Eades, for Mr. Carter, said that if the case rested on "locus," his client was more entitled to operate the service. When Mr. Carter took over the business in 1946, the Licensing Authority had told him that he was entitled to two-thirds of the service.
The appeal, which was heard by Mr. W. Tudor Davies, was dismissed with costs by the Minister of Transport.
BIRMINGHAM TO SEEK IRISH LABOUR?
rONCERNED over the shortage of
bus crews, Birmingham Transport Committee, are considering the resumption of recruiting conductors and conductresses in Ireland—a policy discontinued two years ago.
Mr. A. G. Hunt, secretary of Greater Birmingham Employment Committee, said that in the first nine months of the year there had been a wastage of 435 drivers, 795 conductors and 577 conductresses. Recruitments were only just keeping pace with weekly wastage. He thought that the position could be relieved if the ruling agreed between the transport department and the trade unions that men had to serve three months as conductors before becoming drivers were modified.
A.M.C. NOT OPPOSING TAX•
THE Association of Municipal Corporations have decided not to change their view, expressed 14 months ago, that no useful purpose will be served by making representations to the Government on the fuel tax.
This reply has been given to a borough council which expressed concern at the implication of a bus company's statement that the curtailment of unremunerative services. particularly in thinly populated rural areas, might have to be considered.
THE NEXT ISSUE
THE next issue of The Commercial Motor, dated December 25, Will be on sale on December 24