Big Western Fare Case : Guarded
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Grant to United Counties
FOR the fourth time since the war, the Western National Omnibus Co., Ltd., last week applied to the Western Licensing Authority for increased fares. With Southern National, they asked that, with certain exceptions, fares under 5d. should be raised by id.; between 6d. and is. Id. by Id.; up to Is. 6d. by 2d. and above Is. 6d. by ld. in the shilling, with a maximum increase of 6d. on any fare.
The companies also sought an idjustment in the return rates, varying from 15 per cent. to 25 per cent., with a maximum increase of 2d. in the shilling.
Mr. F. A. Stockdale, for the companies, said that originally more than 90 objections had been received, although a great number had since been withdrawn. Those objections which remained came principally from the Cornwall and Weymouth areas, where the new fares would be at or below the average.
The application was estimated to produce £154,000 additional revenue for Western National. The actual profit of Southern National in 1952, said Mr. Stockdale, was £42,240, less tax, and the estimate for 1953, on the basis of existing fares, was £11,300, less tax. The extra revenue which the present proposals would provide was estimated at £90,000 in a full year.
Mr. H. L. Ellis, secretary and chief accountant of both companies, agreed that, including the present proposals, applications submitted since 1951, yielded £222,000 additional revenue to Southern National alone. He said that the operating profit before tax was paid stood at £92,912 in 1949, £87,442 in 1950, £78,929 in 1951 and £38,710 in 1952.
If the present application were granted the fares of both companies would be 36 per cent. higher than in 1939. Operating costs in the same period had increased by 133 per cent. in the case of Southern National and 147 per cent. in respect of Western National.
Mr. Joseph Kelly, for the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers and Yeovil and District Trades Council, submitted that old-age pensioners might be allowed to travel free.
A30 Sir Arnold Musto (chairman); "That is a mater which is being considered at the highest level for the whole country."
He thought the tendency would he to remove present concessions and not, to extend them. "After all, they are really a matter for philanthropy or local authorities, and not for transport undertakings," he commented.
Mr. A. C. Caffin, for 11 local councils in Cornwall, claimed that the proposals should not be granted in full. He contended that an estimated profit equal to 6.63 per cent, of capital was too high.
Decision was reserved.
When Mr. J. W. Fletcher, East Midland Licensing Authority, granted an application for in.creased fares by the United Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., he said that he would carefully examine the company's affairs at the end of this year, and he might then vary the grant.
Mr. R. G. Howe, traffic manager, said that the company were £15,000 better off in 1951 than they had expected. A profit of 00,000 was recorded.
The company sought to increase 31d., 41d., and 5id. single fares by id. and to standardize and raise return fares and weekly-ticket charges. On special services they sought an increase of 20 per cent.
Birkenhead Raises 'Fares On Monday, increased fares came into force on Birkenhead Corporation's system. All fares are based on mileage, with a minimum of 1id. for threequarters of a mile. A charge of 2d. is now made for a journey of a mile, rising to 10d. for over 9i miles. All day returns and season tickets have been abolished. This is Birkenhead's third increase in three years and is expected to bring in an extra £47,000 a year.
The Yorkshire Licensing Authority has approved certain advances in the fares of the Yorkshire Traction Co., Ltd. Workmen's returns are to be dearer by Id., all ordinary and special return tickets up to and including Is. 9d. are to be increased by Id. and some 2d. fares are going up id. An application to increase some lid. fares to 2d. was refused.