Undertakings to Seek Higher Fares
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AN application for increased fares by Oldham Corporation was granted by the North Western Traffic Commissioners, last week, and the new scale will be' ntroduced on October 27. The 2d. minimum remains, but A. is added tO the 24d. fare, and the 3d. minimum on limited-stop journeys goes up to 4d. Workpeople's returns are abolished.
Mr. F. Williamson, chairman of the Commissioners, said the amount of additional revenue, £67,806, was moderate in view of the increased costs which the corporation had had to face. Mr. H. Clarke, deputy town clerk, said there was a surplus of £13,734 in the year ended last March, but on the same date next year there would be an estimated deficit of £30,706, and in 1959 it would be £62,796, unless fares went up.
Bolton Corporation's application for increases, designed to yield an additional £97,000 a year, was granted by the • North Western Commissioners. Mr. A. Blakemore, deputy town clerk, said it was proposed to retain the 2d. minimum, to increase by 4d. fares from 24d. to 54d.,and to add Id. to fares over 6d. Unless fares were raised there would be a deficit of about £76,000 this year, rising to £165,000 in 1960— which ignored the possibility of increased costs.
A joint application by Plymouth Joint Transport Committee, the Western National Omnibus Co., Ltd., and the Southern National Omnibus Co., Ltd., was granted by the Western Commissioners. The transport committee will derive £77,200 to cover an estimated deficit of £44,335 in 1958759. The companies' extra revenue will total £15,400.
Manchester Transport Committee are to seek increases aimed at providing extra revenue of £5,750 a week, as the transport department are now losing £4,540 weekly. Among their proposals is the abolition of workmen's fares.
They also suggest that the minimum 2d. fare be retained for one stage, but increased by Id. On the second stage; 4d. fares to go up to 44cl.; and 5d. to 9d. fares to be increased by id. There would be no change in the 2s. all-day ticket.
To offset an estimated loss of £62,500 next year, Leicester Transport Committee are recommending higher fares and shorter stages. Their proposals, if accepted, would yield an extra £66,000 a year. They include a cut in the 2d. minimum stage from 1 mile to mile, and the introduction of a 6d. fare on routes run jointly with the Birmingham and Midland MotorOmnibus Co., Ltd.
Cllr. S. Bridges,, chairman, said it would be impossible to solve problems by reducing fares in the hope of attracting additional passengers. If all fares were cut by even id., it would cost £200,000 a year, and to recover this sum it would be necessary to carry another 25m. passengers.
Barrow-in-Furness Corporation have agreed to apply for increases which should produce £23,000 towards the £27,000 needed to meet higher costs. They propose to make up the difference by economies in operation, including some reduced frequencies. Cllr. D. D. Williams, chairman of the transport committee, said the increases would be on a mileage basis, with the object of spreading the burden over all sections of the travelling public.
Stalybridge. Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield Transport Board are to apply for increases.