Birmingham and Bradford Fail in Applications for 2d. Minimum
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EVIDENCE of a new attitude towards the problem of higher fares L.. appears in the latest decisions of the Licensing Authorities. For some time, reluctance has been shown to authorize some propos,ed schedules.
Now both the West Midland and Yorkshire Authorities have granted applications which called for 2d. minimum fares, with a proviso, in each case, that the need for this fare should receive further consideration.
Birmingham Corporation's application, which included a proposal for a 2d. minimum, was heard by the West Midland Licensing Authority last July. Permission has now been granted for fares to be increased on November 4, although the decision in connection with the 2d. minimum ticket is "left in suspension. until given further consideration by the Minister."
Thus, after November 4, the present 11d fare will become 2d., with a few exceptions, and a new. Id. ticket will be issued, valid for a shorter journey.
• All other ordinary fares including an odd id. will go up by id. and children's and workmen's tickets will rise by id. and Id.
lid. Minimum Enforced
Although the application of Bradford Corporation for higher motorbus and trolleybus fares has substantially been eranted, permission to increase the minimum fare to 2d. has been withheld. The ruling in favour of the retention of the,, lid. minimum, the decision states, is subject. to _reconsideration after the newly authorized fares have been in operation for three months.
Changes estimated to increase revenue by t72,000 a year, were put before the West Midland Licensing Authority by Wolverhampton Corporation last week. The undertaking was granted new tares scales last January, which came into effect in July; if the present application failed, stated the general manager, there would be a -deficit of £109,000.
The previous increase in _fares had been expected to produce a profit of £3,000. Instead there had been a loss of £68. Costs in 1950-51 were £44,000 higher than in the previous year, and it was estimated that in the current year they would be £113,000 higher.
Big Loss at Sunderland Similar difficulties were referred to when the Northern Licensing Authority heard the application of Sunderland Corporation for new rates based on Id. a mile, with a 11d. minimum fare.
These charges were estimated to raise revenue by £94,049 a year, and thus wipe out a deficit of £23,000 incurred last year.
This year, the deficit would rise to £74,000 with the old fares, wage rates having gone up last July, making it necessary for the undertaking to find another £44,000 a year. It is proposed to raise children's tickets, certain workmen's fares, and to abolish all-day tickets.
Fares which went up on January 1 this year, were reconsidered last week. when Southampton Corporation applied al2 "
for new revisions. Additions of id. to all tickets up to 4d. and to children's Id. tickets and the abolition of return tickets were suggested,
An application with comparable proposals has been filed by Wilts and Dorset Motor Services, Ltd., affecting a group of 60 services in the Salisbury area. Additions of Itt. to all tickets up to but not including 6d. are proposed, the revision of certain concession rates and the abolition of workmen's return fares below Is. 6d.
On October 26. the Scottish Licensing Authority will hear the application Of Glasgow Corporation for revised fares. With a deficit for the current Year estimated at £520,000. the undertaking hopes to receive additional revenue amounting to £700,000 a year from the new -rates.
The case of Dundee Corporation for higher charges is to be heard next month. The undertaking is now running at a loss of over £1,000 a week.
Bristol to Apply Again
In consequence of the new wage awards to platform staff, Bristol Tramways and Carriage' Co., Ltd., expects shortly to make a further application for variations of fares. Of the £200,000 additional revenue derived from the increase authorized a year ago, over £125,000 has been absorbed by rising costs, it was stated recently. Tyre costs had gone up by £23,000 and fuel costs by £415,000, and the new wage rates would cost another £75,000 a year.
Stating that some fares work out at less than Id. a mile. the Gateshead and District Omnibus Co., Ltd., has applied for new charges. Present Id., 2d., 3d., tickets would cost d. more if the application succeeded, GLASGOW TO CUT SERVICES?
A BANDONMENT of a number of .C. services operated outside the city boundary is recommended by the general manager of Glasgow Transport Department, because they are running at a loss. It is understood that four routes, run in competition with other undertakings, are concerned.
When the general manager's report was submitted to the transport committee, it was agreed to consult the various local authorities concerned.