ublic Bondage to Bus Operators ', F OR the second tirne this
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year. United Automobile Services, Ltd., has been granted an increase in fares by the Northern Licensing Authority. Proposals in respect of workers' fares on three Carlisle services were withdrawn.
In South Wales, during the hearing of the applications by eight bus companies to abolish workmen's fares, the representative of the objecting local authorities claimed that the public was in financial bondage to the companies, which had a virtual monopoly.
Strong Opposition
A general increase of fares was last authorized for United Automobile Services. Ltd., in January this-year. The new application, affecting mainly concession fares, was described by counsel as being "modest in its scope but the subject of considerable opposition," Apart from a small number of workers' tickets, single tickets were not affected by the application.
There were 20 objectors to the application-14 local authorities and six operators, including Durham and District Omnibus Services, Ltd., another State-controlled concern. It was stated that the proposed changes would augment annual revenue by £153,000. The Licensing Authority said that the application had been considered together with the one granted last January Higher charges then authorized had been expected to bring in a surplus of £289.480, which was fair, Only known increases in costs had then been taken into account. The new increases would help the concern to recoup part of the reduction in the expected surplus which it had suffered during the year. During continued hearing, last week, of the application of the eight South Wales operators to abolish workmen's fares, Mr. H. J. Thom, South Wales Licensing Authority, said that it would be necessary to refer the applications to a full bench. When all members of the Authority had examined the evidence, there would be another sitting. This was due to take place yesterday (Thursday). A representative of the National Union of Mineworkers stated that it had been shown that the companies were exceedingly prosperous and had paid handsome dividends.
Wolverhampton's Second
The second application lodged by Wolverhampton Transport Department in the past two years has been granted. Both motorbus and trolleybus-fares are affected. In January, 1950, a 14-per-cent increase was authorized, which had been expected to produce a surplus of £3.000 in that year. The actual balance in the year was £68. In the ensuing year, costs had risen by £44,000. The new fares scales provide for supplementary revenue amounting to £70,681 a sear. •
The terms of the grant provide that no existing workmen's return fare now costing ad.. 4d., 5d. or c.d. should go up by more than 2d. Those in the range from 7d. to Is. will go up by 3d.. and those over Is. by 4d.
All tickets over 2d. may rise in price if a new application filed by the East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd., succeeds. The concern was last granted an application to increase fares in June. except for those proposals which are now being made. Since June, wage costs alone have risen A28 by £60,000 a year, and in the current financial year the company's profits have declined from £233,971 to £153,506.
It is now suggested that single fares from 2id. to 51d. should go up by id.. and those over 6d. by Id. Return tickets should advance by Id., except for the Mid.. hid, and Is. Oid, ones, which should go up by lid. Separate rates for scholars' fiveand six-day season tickets are also put forward.
The application for a general revision of fares, tiled by Leeds Transport Department with the Yorkshire Licensing Authority, is to be heard on December 28. This plan is estimated to augment revenue by £215,000 a year, the main points being the introduction of a 2d. minimum charge on trams and buses and a minimum workmen's return rate of 7d. on trams and 9d.
on buses. The estimated deficit of the undertaking will amount to £322,000 by next March, of which £182,000 will be incurred in the current year.
2d. Minimum for Southend?
The possibility of a 2d. minimum fare is being discussed by Southend Transport Department, which is incurring a loss of about Id. a mile on current charges. Extra expenditure amounting to £19,500 a year has resulted from recent wage increases.
Fares on services operated by Scottish Omnibuses, Ltd., in Edinburgh, went up last week after the introduction of higher charges by the corporation.