'0.M.O. IS NO CURE-ALL'
Page 33
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PROPOSALS for experimenting with Newcastle upon Tyne Corporation Transport are criticized in a report issued by the undertaking's general manager, Mr. Frank Taylor.
The proposals include the greater use of one-man buses, token tickets, closing of upper decks during off-peak hours, greater frequency of services and the creation of artificially low fares by subsidies.
The schemes were put forward by Mr. Wilfred Burns, Newcastle's Town Planning Officer.
Mr. Taylor said that one of his duties was to ensure that the transport system operated on an economic basis and, during the past 10 years, profits amounting to £1,500.000 had been ploughed back into the department.
One-man buses were not a panacea for transport troubles, nor would they ease congestion—one of the biggest problems. There would be no real advantage in closing the top decks of buses during non-peak hours.
As part-time employment of conductors was not allowed, the question arose of what was to be done with conductors not required in off-peak periods.
They would either have to be paid to sit doing nothing in their depot until their shift was finished, or they would have to alter work schedules which could result in a spreadover of 12 hours or more. The trades unions would never agree to such an idea, said Mr. Taylor.
Sunderland Corporation had introduced one-man buses to cut losses but the losses were still growing, he claimed.
A greater frequency in services would increase congestion. And Mr. Taylor disagreed with the theory that artificially low fares would attract more passengers. Several large municipal undertakings on the Continent were trying this system—but they were still losing passengers.
• SHEFFIELD CORPORATION TRANSPORT COMMITTEE has amended the length specification of a recent contract for double-deckers from 30ft to 33ft. The rear-engined Leyland chassis will now cost £3,491 each instead of £3,443, and the Park Royal Vehicles Ltd. bodies will be dual-door for one-man operation at £4,942 each instead of 14,325.