New Wave of Fare Applications
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riA NEW wave of applications for increased fares, no doubt encouraged by the wages awards of the past six months, has begun. The latest applications are by the Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., Barton Transport, Ltd., Chesterfield Corporation and South Shields Corporation.
Application is to be made by the Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., to increase workmen's return fares up to 6d by approximately 50 per cent., and by degrees varying from a third to a sixth in higher rates.
If the application is granted, the 3d. return fare will cost 44d., the 9d. fare Is., and the 2s. fare 2s. 4d. Workmen's returns are at the present time the same as the ordinary single fare.
Other revisions for which the company are to seek permission are a minimum single fare of 2d. on town services, and a children's minimum of 1id.
The price of season tickets would be increased by 5 per cent., and these would be limited to one return journey a day.
If the applications were granted, the average fare increase would be less than 50 per cent. above the pre-war level, whereas average operating costs over the same period had risen by about 130 a6 per cent., said Mr. C. H. Pickett, director and general manager.
Ordinary single fares from lid. to 64d. on more than 100 services operated solo by Barton Transport, Ltd., will rise by id. if approved by the East Midland Licensing Authority.
Chesterfield Corporation are also seeking permission to increase their revenue by revising certain fares. Their proposals, which have been submitted to the Yorkshire Licensing Authority, include the addition of id. to 2d., 21d., 3d. and 34d. rates, and ld, to all fares of 4d. and more. The child's rate for the 5d. ordinary single fare would be increased from 24d. to 3d.
A revision of scholars' and students' tickets is also proposed.
The Northern Licensing Authority has deferred his decision on South Shields Corporation's application to increase motorbus and trolleybus fares. Under the application, workmen's 4d. returns would be raised to 5d., and the ordinary 21d. rate to 3d.
It was stated at the hearing that during the past two or three years the corporation's general rate fund had contributed about £24,000 to meet losses incurred by the transport department.