Unions Could Ruin Bus Industry
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COMBIN ED claims for greatly %-"increased wages, a shorter basic working week, alterations in conditions and additional privileges, which had been built up by the trade unions over the past months, would put the bus industry "on its back."
This was stated by Mr. Raymond W. Birch, chairman and managing director of the Potteries Motor Traction Co., Ltd., at the company's annual general meeting last week. Even a compromise settlement would result in the cost being passed on in full to the public. This would either be by higher charges or the reduction of timetables, particularly on the company's many unremunerative routes, he said.
Of the current year's working, Mr. Birch said the company's revenue had been fortified by the additional traffic of the businesses acquired at the end of 1958. The number of passengers carried, at 136m., showed an increase of some 7-1-m. over the previous year.
The new Leyland Atlantean buses. 35. of which were in service, were popular with passengers and staff, said Mr. Birch. He reported that a further 40 of these vehicles were on order, but expressed the hope that further progress would be made in respect' of overall dimensions of single-deckers before the company's next rolling-stock programme was considered.
Great Britain. with Eire and Portugal. were the only European countries which did not observe the maximum dimensions of 36 ft. by 8.2 ft., noted Mr. Birch.
The new 40-bus garage at Biddulph should be opened id June, he reported. This would replace the . old property acquired with Wells Motor Services and the existing depot of the associated North Western Road Car Co., Ltd.
Reconstruction and extension of the Burslem depot would start shortly. This work would modernize the depot and raise its capacity from 31 to 95 vehicles. Increased accommodation and facilities for double-deckers would also be provided by reconstruction at AudIey.