MUNICIPAL BUS SERVICES EARN PROFITS.
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The Services Run by Manchester, Birmingham and Wolverhampton Corporations show Improved Earning Powers.
TIIREE, interesting sets of figures in connection with municipal provision of passenger transportation facilities have just been published, and in order to facilitate comparison -we have given them in a form as nearly similar for all three as is pogsible. They apply to the year ending March 31st, 1922, and concern the bus services provided by the tramway departments of Manchester, Birmingham and Wolverhampton. It is interesting to see that Manchester's service has, financially, turned the corner In the year 1920-21 a loss of £1,645 was
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incurred, tho traffic receipts averaging 9.507d. per bus-mile, whilst the costs of operating were 20.141d. per mile. In the year recently ended the traffic receipts worked out. at 21.966d. per mile, and the costs, including depreciation, at 21.356d. per mile, giving a profit on the year's working of £728. In Birmingham there is a better showing, the receipts for the past year being 24.098d. and the expenditure 20.533d per bus-mile, leaving a profitof £15,865. In the previous year the profit of £9,016 represented the difference between 24.534d. per bus-mile in takings and 22.599d. per bus-mile in expenditure. Wolverhampton also shows an improvement, its receipts per busmile being 21.471d. and its costs 19.536d., leaving a profit of £3,181. In the previous year the receipts per bus-mile were 22.187d. and the costs 21.481d,, leaving a balance of £812.
• The summarized accounts will be found 'on opposite page. That municipal bus services can be made to show a profit, if conducted on right lines, is fully evident. from the success attending the efforts of the three corporations referred to.