Another Bid for Higher Bus Fares in Glasgow
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A T a meeting of Glasgow Corpora.
tio.n, last week, the progressive group supported a deinanct for further consideration of the transport corn: mittee's proposals to seek an increase of fares. The committee has authorized an application to the R.T.C. f or permission to raise bus fares-ho the longer distances, and for negotiations with the Ministry of War Transport for a revision of the tramway fares. The scale of bus fares proposed includes 3d. for seven stages instead of the present 10, 4a. for 10 stages instead of 16, and 5d. over JO stages instead of over 19.
Bailie Scott Adamson held that the fine financial position of the transport department made it quite unnecessary to increase the fares. The decision of the R.T.C. at the inquiry last year showed that he took that view. The deficit. on the department's .accounts was' produced. by the Writing off for depreciation Of a sum greatly in excess of what was required; The department was working on a system of accounting
that was' devised in 1896. Since that date the uddertaking had become -a prosperous monopoly, and the original provisions were now quite out of date. . Bailie W. G. Bennett complained that Glasgow citizens who had moved to suburban housing schemes were to he asked to make good the whole of the deficit. The 'suggested .increases in bus fares would add 20 to 40 per cent. to their travelling expenses.
Councillor Ernest Greenhill agreed that the transport undertaking was in a healthy condition, but it could not remain so if it went on year after year showing deficits on the accounts. He pointed out that the proposed bus fares represented a considerable modification on the changes which had been disapproved last year by the R.T.C. That scheme was designed to increase bus revenue by .£250,000 in the year; the new scale aimed at an increase of £150,000.
The-minute of the transport committee was approved by 45 to 31 votes.