'Keep services or risk licences'
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• Led by Durham County Council, about 18 local authorities in Co Durham are to refuse to pay subsidies to United Automobile Services Ltd to keep unprofitable bus services in operation. The firm has intimated that unless the local councils offer subsidies totalling £22,000 a year, the services will be withdrawn. The councils contend that the company should continue to subsidize uneconomic routes from the profitable ones and in support of their stand, they will oppose the renewal of 18 United licences due to be considered on January 28 by the Northern LA.
Ald W. Dent, of Durham County Council, who presided at the meeting of the councils' representatives, said they would ask the LA to refuse to renew the firm's licences unless it agreed to maintain rural services, at its own cost.
United has previously stated that it could no longer maintain uneconomic routes from profitable services, and has announced its intention of withdrawing unprofitable services if the various local authorities are against subsidizing them.
In Northumberland local authorities recently agreed to subsidize nearly 20 routes to the extent of £46,000 annually. A move is expected in Northumberland to get the Post Office to use small vehicles in country areas to carry both mail and passengers.