Aldershot's Rural Bu s Services in Danger
Page 44
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FINLESS there was a material abate ment ment of tax in the near future, the Aldershot and District Traction Co. Ltd. would be compelled to withdraw a number of its rural services which had never paid their way. This warning was given by Mr. A. F. R. Carling, director of the company, speaking in the absence of the chairman, Mr. T. Robert Williams at the 53rd annual general meeting last week.
Mr. Carling observed that, owing to increased costs, particularly wages, nearly 50 per cent of the company's mileage failed to cover the average costs of operation. On the other hand the company had paid nearly £121,000 in fuel tax during the past financial year, most of it in respect of stage carriage services.
Net profit before tax showed a reduction of £41,308. This was due in particular to the substantial increase in n10
wages agreed in March 1964, and a reduction in the number of passengers. Despite the excellent summer the number of passengers had fallen by no fewer than 1,303,973 or 2-1 per cent. As a result of the latest wage award, which added about £60,000 a year to its costs, the company had been compelled, after stabilizing fares for four years, to make application for increased fares; this application could not be heard until July 16, however.
Since 1961 the company had managed to absorb many increased costs of operation by means of further economies, including the introduction of more oneman buses and the replacement of the older 51-56-seat double-deckers by more efficient 68-seaters. The fleet of doubledeckers consisted entirely of Dennis Loline 68-seaters fitted with poweroperated doors.