Break even planned for
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Midland Red by CM reporter NO SUBSIDIES, no conductors, better off peak services and no losses—this may be the picture at Midland Red if research currently underway is implemented.
Midland Red is aiming to establish the largest route network that could be maintained without any subsidies. The research will cost -£150,000 and will be undertaken by the company itself, NBC Consultancy Services, and Colin Buchanan and Partners. The target viable network will be using entirely one-man-operated buses.
Work will start at Stratfordon-Avon this month and will then continue on an area by area basis. A 20 strong research team will question bus passengers and hand out questionnaires and will also undertake house-by-house surveys.
As the results of the survey become known the Company will pass the information on to the County Council involved.
"The survey will not only identify a viable network of services but also other services which are essential in the social interest," said Mr John Hargreaves, Midland Red general manager. It will then be a matter for each County Council concerned, to decide whether such services should be maintained with subsidy."
Mr Hargreaves warned that it was almost certain that the current level of staffing and services would have to be reduced. "There is no doubt that all conducting jobs—currently totalling over 400—will have to be phased out over the next three years.
" Equally, certain peak period services are likely to be reduced and this in turn could lead to a reduction in engineering and administrative staff."
Mr Hargreaves added that it was impossible to say whether this would involve redundancies but it was hoped that " natural wastage "—retirements and resignations—would themselves bring about the necessary staffing reductions.
Mr Hargreaves believes the survey will show that there are many towns "where a higher level of off-peak services will be possible which will be of considerable benefit to shoppers, the elderly as well as other sections of the community."