Big Scottish Bus Companies Will Seek Fare Increases Next Month
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A BATCH of applications for higher fares will be dealt with by the
Scottish Traffic Commissioners at Edinburgh on December 17 and 18. Scottish operators will be joined by English companies who cross the border in seeking increases. Altogether, eight companies will apply— Scottish Omnibuses, Ltd.; Western S.M.T. Co., Ltd.; Central S.M.T. Co., Ltd.; W. Alexander and Sons, Ltd.; David Lawson, Ltd.; Ribble Motor Services, Ltd.; Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd.; and • the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd.
Haulier "Could not Afford Letter"
WHENEVER the Ministry of Pensions tried to see Cecil Leary Banks, a Seaford (Lines) haulier, he always appeared. to be-out. Then they wrote to him about stamps missing from his National Insurance card, and he answered asking them not to contact him again because he could not afford to reply.
This story was related to Sleaford Magistrates, last week, when Banks, of Boston Road, Sleaford, denied failing to pay contributions between November 24 and December 24, 1957. He was fined El and ordered to pay 118 14s. 8d. arrears.
Mr. J. G. Proctor, prosecuting, said Banks was an owner-driver. When he returned his 1957 insurance card it was found that it bore only 20 stamps in all, but Ministry inspectors were unable to catch him at home. In reply to a letter he said: "1 am broke now and badly need the money I have spent on insurance stamps, I knew the thing would break me right from the start."
In the letter, Banks said he regretted he was unable to call at the local Ministry office, and be added: "Please don't write to me any more. I can't afford to pay for the reply."
In court, Banks said he had not always been working so he did not consider it necessary to pay anything. When he did work he earned no more than an ordinary employed person.
He was allowed a month to pay the 11.
10 HOURS' REST HAVE TO BE CONSECUTIVE
THE 10 hours' rest in 24 for lorrydrivers, laid down by law, must be consecutive, Taunton Magistrates were told last week. Mr. D. I. Cooper, for the Ministry of Transport, stressed this point when Martin and White (Taunton), Ltd„ Kingston, Somerset, faced six summonses relating to drivers' hours.
Mr. Cooper said the company had been under the impression that they were complying with the regulations if their men had 10 hours' rest. They did not realize that this had to be a complete rest period. Since the matter had been brought to their notice they had complied in every way, and their schedules had been revised.
The company were fined a total of £18, with £8 15s. 9d. costs.
B30
Scottish Omnibuses said last week that they proposed to increase single fares from 4d. to 6s. 5d. by between id. and 3d. Over 6s, 5d. they wanted a 5 per cent. increase. For . returns, they wanted increases of Id. and 2d. on those up to 4s. lid., with a 5 per cent, increase on returns over 5s. Workers' fares would go up by 1d., whilst school tickets and limited journey concessions would also be affected.
United Automobile Services, Ltd., are to ask the Northern Commissioners for increases ranging from 1d. to 2d. on single fares, and between 241. and 4d. on returns.
Second Application
East Yorkshire Motor Services, Ltd., are to ask the Yorkshire Commissioners to permit a 121 per cent, increase on the rates for contract tickets, together with an extra Id. on single fares up to Is. and 2d. on those from is. id. to 2s. They are not seeking any revision of return fares. Earlier this month they were granted increases, but withdrew an application to put up the price of contract tickets. They warned, however, that a further application would have to be made (The Commercial Motor, November 14).
The Lincolnshire Road Car Co., Ltd., say their application for increases will be made "any time now." They hope, however, to keep increases down to a minimum.
The introduction of more one-man buses is planned by the United Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., as part of their economy drive. Mr. T. T. E. Robinson, general manager, said last week that if nothing exceptional happened, and the company's plans succeeded, he was confident that no increase in fares would be required.
The West Riding Automobile Co., Ltd., will seek increases on December 4, hut they will be faced with objections by Wakefield Corporation and eight other local authorities.
"ROADS WILL BREAK UP"
rLASSIFIED roads will break up unless N.-• the Government allow local highway authorities more money for repairs, Lord Derwent, chairman of the British Road Federation-, has told the Minister of Transport. At least half the grant-aided roads in England and Wales needed more money for essential works to be undertaken, he said. The Minister has been asked to increase grants to the equivalent of those in 1957-58, the peak post-war year.