FTERMATH OF STRIKE
Page 43
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Sunderland Ordered to End Cheap Day Tickets : Nottingham, South Shields Minima May Go Up
stem this downward trend, or a further rise in fares, or a reduction in services —or both—will have to be considered,'.' he. said. • Hebble Motor Services, Ltd., have been granted increases designed to bring in an extra £9,400 in a full year. The 2d. minimum remains, but the 2111. fare for a mile goes up to 3d. and fares between 3d. and Is. 2d. arc increased by Id. From is. 3d to-2s. the increase is 2d., and for fares over 2s. Id. it is 3d. Additional returns for fares between 3d. and 11d. are being introduced.
A five-hour battery of questions from nine objecting local authorities faced Mr. C. R. Wreathall, general manager of East Yorkshire Motor Services, Ltd., when the company applied for increases. It was proposed to make contract tickets 164 per cent. dearer. and to raise fares on 70 services by not more than Id.
"Fantastic Drop"
He revealed that the company would be making another application, probably in November, to try to balance their finances, as the recent strike had cost them £11,500. When Mr. Wreaffiall said that an estimated .profit of £72,900 at the end of September had turned out to be £7.500. Maj. F. S. Eastwood commented "That is a fantastic drop."
Mr. F. A. Stoekdale, for the company. said that the present proposals were designed to bring in an extra £34,720 in a full year—I27,000 from fares, £6,500 in savings on reduced mileage, and £1,220 as a result of surrendering their Hull—Hornsca express licence.
The company were in a most serious position, and the current application, if . granted, would go only half-way towards solving their financial problems.
Asking to reduce the whole Beverley service from a 15-minute to-t 30-minute • frequency on Sundays, Mr. Wreathall said it was an extension of the 'weekday cuts authorized in July.. Although it was one of their best-paying services, . it was considered that duplication, where necessary, on a lesser frequency would be economic.
Councils' Pleas
On behalf of Bridlington Borough Council, it was submitted that the company supplied the only transport in the town, and it seemed that where they had not obtained such a monopoly, rates were not increased, Beverley Corpora • tion asked the Commissioners to delay a decision until factual figures for the year ending September 30, 1957, could be produced. Decision was reserved. An application for increases by the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., has been granted by the West Midland Commissioners. Single fares and scholars' returns between 2d. and 63d. inclusive go up by 3c1; 7d. to Is. lifd. inclusive by Id.; and 2s. and over by 2d. Workmen's and . miners' returns between 84d. and is. 53d. inclusive ate raised by 2d., and those over Is. 6d. by 3d.
Facing an estimated deficit this year of £74,810, including £34,046 carried Over from last year, Hull Transport Committee have approved recommendations by their general manager, Mr. G. H. Pulfrey, for increases. Mr. Pulfrey told the committee that current fares were no longer in line with times and circumstances. The increases would bring in £88,335 in a full year.
Belfast Transport Committee have rejected a scheme for increases put forward by a special sub-committee. The proposals, which called for the addition of Id. to all fares except the 3d. minimum, have now gone back to the sub-committee for further con-• sideration.
Before making this decision, the transport committee heard from the city treasurer that if fares were not increased there would be a deficit of about £92,872 on March 31 next.
A one-day token strike by. local engineering and shipyard workers has been suggested by Sunderland trade union branches following the Northern Traffic Commissioners'. instruction to Suriderland Corporation to abolish universal cheap day tickets. The tickets at present cost 8d.. and the corporation proposed an increase of Id. Many workmen will now have to pay ordinary rates, which in some cases will mean doubling their outlay on fares.
Re-establishing Finances
Nottingham Transport Comm t tee have advised the city council to seek a 3d. minimum adult fare in place of the present 2d. It is estimated that this would bring in an extra £105.000 a year.
Cllr. S. P. Hill. chairman, said it was necessary to raise the extra money to re-establish the department's financial position. On present fares there would be a. deficiency of £30,000 to carry forward. The wage increase alone would cost £44,000 in the current year and £65,000 in a full year.
South Shields Corporation have decided to seek increases to meet an extra £16.000 a year in wages. They propose to abolish the present 23d. adult fare, and shorten to two miles the distance covered for a 3d. single ticket.
Wolverhampton Transport Committee have suggested that the 2d. single and early-morning fares should be put up to 21d., and the child's Id. fare in lfd. They also recommend increases in other early-morning fares. Extra revenue of £86,000 a year is "the minimum. necessary." Costs have increased by £90,000, the committee state.