Midland General Need Greater Margin : Derby Fares Up Again

1st May 1953, Page 72

1st May 1953

Page 72

Page 72, 1st May 1953 — Midland General Need Greater Margin : Derby Fares Up Again

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AT Nottingham, last week, Midland General Omnibus Co., Ltd., Notts and Derbys Traction Co., and Mansfield District Traction Co., applied for perminion to add Id, to all ordinary and workmen's return fares and certain other modifications. For Midland General, Mr. F. A. Stockdale stated that an increase in revenue of £30,200 a year would accrue from the changes, if granted. Of this sum, £22,862 would be derived from the higher ordinary return fares.

Rising costs no longer enable the concern to obtain a reasonable return on the capital employed, it was stated. Mr. K. Lane, traffic manager, revealed that running costs in 1951 were 17.59d. per Mile, compared with 19.51d. in 1952. This year they were expected to be 20.04d, per mile.

Revenue in 1951 was 18.77d. per mile and 20.82d. per Mile in 1952. This year, revenue was estimated at 21.44d. per mile. The additional income expected from the proposals would bring estimated total net income this year to £90,783, of which £20,264 would be left after provision for tax and other fixed items.

In the case of Mansfield District Traction, the higher charges proposed would augment revenue by £17,640 a year. In 1951, the applicants' operat'ng costs were 18.81d. per mile, rising `o 20.14d, per mile in 1952 and to an estimated 20.6d. this year. Revenue was stated to be 20.48d. per mile in 1951, 22.63d. per mile in 1952 and this year about 22.96d. per mile.

Decision was reserved.

Workmen's. return titlets were issued for tht last time on Derby Corporation vehicles last Sunday, following the decision of the Minister of Transport on the application heard. in February. Some single fares and children's tickets also cost more. It was stated at the hearing that since April last year. the undertaking's costs had risen by 32,000 a year. thus making this fourth post-war fares increase essential.

Rawtenstall Succeeds

Rawtenstall Corporation and their joint operators have also received sanction for fares increases which will affect 20 services, 12 operated independently by Rawtenstall. Bolton Corporation have applied to the North Western Licensing Authority for permission to revise timings on 15 services so as to reduce frequencies. This is part of an economy measure to combat higher costs of opeiation. Everingham Bros., Ltd., Pocklington, have applied for permission to add id. to 6d. on single and ietum fares, to modify 12-journey tickets and to revise the conditions relating to unlimited contract tickets. Similar applications have been made by Mr. J. Bailey. of Fangfoss, York, and York Pullman Bus Co., Ltd., so that 28 services are affected.

United Automobile Services, Ltd., have also applied for revised charges for 19 routes in the Scarborough area.

Prospects of a return to a profit-making basis when the conversion from tram to bus operation is completed in two to three years, were forecast for Belfast Corpora

tion recently. Cllr. R. J. R. Harcourt, M.P., chairman of the transport committee, said that it might be possible after that time to reduce fares and still keep economic balance. The recent rejection of the proposal to institute a 3d. minimum adult single fare has now been followed by a suggestion to make the minimum fare 21d.