New Bus Ord ers Held Up
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DLANS for rolling-stock replacement are being held up by the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., because of the Ministry of Transport's delay in coming to a decision about increasing the size of public service vehicles. This was stated by Mr. A. F. R. Carling, chairman. at the company's annual meeting Iasi Friday. "The Minister's indecision in this matter is perplexing,he added.
The subject was very fully discussed last, December, Mr. Carling recalled, yet now in mid-April they had rolling-stock replacement orders lacking final specification as to size, "for fear of perpetuating the present needless inefficiency over another year's intake for the sake of a week or two's delay . . and we are but one of many."
Other points from Mr. Carling's report: "Although most of our services are operated in the industrial areas of Tyneside, Wearside and North Durham it is surprising how many bus routes are not self-supporting when regarded in isola
tion. None of these unremunerativc services has been withdrawn, though there must be some limit to the extent to which it is reasonable to support unprofitable services.
Higher costs were fully, covered by extra revenue, and notwithstanding the heavier tax charge, we finished the year with a net profit almost the same as the previous year's. The recommended final dividend, at 5% free of tax, is also unchanged, again making 74%."