N.C.B. Query Figures of Bus Operator A PPLY1NG to increase fares
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on six miners' services in North Wales. T. and H. R. Roberts were opposed by the National Coal Board when they appeared before the North Western Trallic Commissioners on Monday.
Mr. T. Roberts, a partner in the concern, said since their last increase, in 1957, weekly costs had risen from 1175 to 1190. Since 3955, operational costs per bus-mile had advanced from Is. Mid. to 2s. 14d. They were asking for an increase in subsidy from 1229 10s, to 1239 8s. weekly.
Mr. T. Jones, for the N.C.B., said they could not accept the applicants' expenditure figure. Their own assessment on the 2,328 miles operated weekly for petrol and oil was /49, compared with £62; wages 145, as against 152; and licences and insurance £14, against £18. Overhead expenses respecting telephone and stationery were also excessive.
Roberts were by far the highest paid of N.C.B. operators in the area, and had had increases of £20 and £28 a week in 1955 and 1957 respectively. The Board submitted the applicant was receiving an adequate return, particularly as the vehicles were also used for other work.
Reserving decision, Mr. F. Williamson, chairman, said it appeared that the applicants' accountants had overstated the expenses, particularly on petrol, and the question would have to be considered. In the event of a grant, the fare schedule, in which there appeared to be a nurnber of anomalies, would have to be revised, preferably by agreement between the parties, HIGH WAGES, BUT COSTS LOW
WAGES and salaries paid to workers of the Swiss Migros Co-operative were the highest in the trade, but total retailing costs were only Ii per cent. of turnover. This was stated by Mr. Gottlieb Duttweiler, head of the organization and pioneer operator of mobile shops in Switzerland, when he addressed a conference on retailing held by the British Institute of Management in Eastbourne on Tuesday.
Among the guiding principles of Migros were strict adherence to low margins, a restricted assortment of wares, the use of modern equipment and flexi bility in adopting new methods. Mr. Duttweifer described how he had succeeded in bringing down retail prices in Switzerland by the competition he gave to established enterprises, and revealed that a new oil refinery was to be built at Emden. West Germany, so that supplies of fuel to the IVligrol fuel retailers would be assured,
"We hope that our campaign against the high petrol price will render services even to our opponents," he said.