Costs Still Overtaking Receipts
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INCREASED gross" receipts but dis1 proportionately, rising costs were reported by Mr. R. P. Beddow, M.Inst.t, chairman of. Maidstone and District "Motor Service, Ltd., and Mr. J. W: Womar, Minst.T., chairman of the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd., at their respective general meetings. Both pointed to the rapidly mounting cost of labour, and said that profits were reduced. "
Mr. Womar said that last year his company operated 24,500,000 miles and carried some 112,000,000 passengers. Whether the increase shown hi the past year would be "maintained was uncertain, but extended industrial activity in the Northwich area-. and in " the Carrington district should demand further transport facilities.
Mr. Beddow and Mr. 'Womar also pointed out that it was the Government's policy to pool road and -rail receipts. and in that way to subsidize the iailwayi. Mr. Womar said that this was undoubtedly the reason why the, British Transport Commission had. adopted the principle that local bus Services must be nationalized.
Referringto a recent statement by Mr. Herbert Morrison that private enterprise could be justified only if it were efficient, economic, really enterprising and worked to the common good, Mr. Womar added that his company passed-all these-four-tests.
Both chairmen referred to the coordination of road Services between operators and with the railways. Mr. Womar pointed, out that his company had arranged co-ordinated services with every municipal transport undertaking in its area. Mr. Beddow said that during the past year his company had increased co-ordination with the railways and neighbouring bus companies. New through services had been introduced.