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West Country Fares Granted
Page 51
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A LTHOUGH the county councils of L I Cornwall. Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire withdrew their objections to applications for fares increases by the Western National, Southern National, Wilts and Dorset, and Hants and Dorset bus companies before the hearing, many rural district councils persisted in their opposition when the cases were heard by the Western Traffic Commissioners at Bristol last week.
The objectors were also very concerned about the effect on rural communities if further cuts in services were made, but, replying for the companies, Mr. T. D. Corpe said there was no reason why town-dwellers should be " soaked " in order to help unremunerative services in rural areas. Would these objectors like to pay the real cost of their services? In the case of Western National Omnibus Co., Ltd:, he said, even if there were no increase in operating costs during the next 17 months, their result would still be a pitiful ,yield of only 2.88 per cent, on capital. Mr. Leslie Ellis, director and general manager of the Western National and Southern National companies, said they were " in a parlous financial position."
After an altercation with Mr. S. W. Nelson, the chairman, a Mr. D. G. E. Savage, of Kingsbridge, said: "We will not withhold objections on the threat of blackmail that rural services will be reduced."
The Commissioners granted the applications of Western National and Southern National subject to the conditions that the minimum fare for children would be instead of 3d. and that season tickets of up to Is. single journey should stay.
After hearing that even with the proposed new fare scales the Wilts and Dorset Motor Services, Ltd., return on capital would be only 3.6 per cent., the Commissioners granted the company's application. The application by Hants and Dorset Motor Services, Ltd., affecting only fares above 5d., was also granted.
. BIRMINGHAM'S DEFICIENCY
A 'N overall deficiency of £460,049 was I-1 incurred last year by the Birmingham Corporation transport undertaking, despite a profit of £276,456 on the operation of their bus fleet. Debt charges amounted to £722,522 and £100.000 was put aside towards the renewal of thc fleet. Income increased by £167,111, compared with the previous year, but expenditure also went up by £627,160.
PASSENGERS DOWN, INCOME UP
T"gross income of Leeds City Transport for the year 1961-62 rose by £,127,000 despite the fact that the number of passengers carried fell by a million to 206m. The year's surplus was £23,000.