£66,000 Fare Rise to "Break Even
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rARE increases designed to yield I £66,000 a year were granted to Leicester Corporation last week, but the undertaking is not expected to have a surplus after a full year's operation. Mr. John Cooper, transport manager, told the East Midland Commissioners that he thought they might " break even."
Mr. R. E. Woodward, deputy town clerk, explained that at present the department were losing £1,500 a week, and revenue was steadily decreasing through less of passengers. They were faced with a loss of £32,000 on the current financial year, and £62,000 by -March, 1959.
He proposed the following new stage and fare structure: Two stages, 2d.; three and four stages, 3d.; five and six stages, 4d.; seven and eight stages, 5d.; nine and 10 stages, 6d. This would introduce a 6d. fare for -the first time. Passenger resistance of about 5 per cent, was expected, which would cost about £35,000 a year.
Mr. Curtis said the increases were reasonable in the circumstances.
Increases of more than 100 per cent. were sought by L. W. and 1. Hollinshead (Hollinshead Garage), Stoke-on-Trent, on their stage service between Congleton and Dales Green. They asked the North Western Commisisoners for permission to increase the 5d. single fare to I Id., and the 100. return to Is. 8d.
For the applicants. Mr. H. Backhouse said checks in July showed .receipts were Is. 3d. a mile, whilst operating costs were 2s. 31c1.. In October, expenditure was the same, but revenue dropped by 1d. a mile. If the increases were granted Hollinshead would he in line with a service operated by W. S. Rowbotham along the same route.
Mr. F. Williamson, chairman, said they would have to see overall receipts and costs before granting such an increase. It would not he right to make the revisions without studying the applicants' service as a whole.