HIGHER FARES FOR MIDLAND RED
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THE East and West Midlands Traffic Commissioners, sitting jointly in Birmingham last week, granted an application by the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co. (Midland Red) for a general increase in fares, to come into operation on June 6. The last application for increased fares was heard by the Commissioners in November, 1963, and came into force at the end of December.
The new fare structure ranges from a minimum of 3d. for a journey of 0-8 miles to a maximum of 13s. 5d. for-one of 112 miles. Increases will be not more than id. on fares up to is. 61c1., risi by roughly Id. in the shilling to not mo than 6d. on fares of 6s. and higher.
For the company, Mr. E. S. Fay sa that the cause of the application was national wages award which came in force last March. The effect had been increase the company's annual costs I £432,000. After the previous wa increase, in May of last year, the cor pany had been able to bear it for sevl months before going to the Cor missioners for increased fares.
That had been because of two fawn, able factors, continued Mr. Fay: ti decline in the number of people usii buses was less than had been foreca. and there had been an improvement the staffing position, resulting in red on payments for overtime.
Mr. Fay added: "That second fact+ has turned decidedly against the cor pany. The staffing position has worsem considerably, We are short, conapan with last year, by 189 drivers and 2' conductors." Among the objectors we a number of local authorities.
IN BRIEF
Higher Fares for Tees-side: The Northe Traffic Commissioners, sitting in Durh2 last week, granted an application by To side Railless Traction Board to increase t 4d. and eticl, fares by Id. and the 5d. a above fares by Id. The increases v, operate in Middlesbrough and Eston urb district area.
Tynemouth Fares tip: The Tynemouth al District Transport Co. Ltd. has been grant permission to increase its fares. It w stated at the inquiry that the company wou bear two-thirds of the recent wages awai leaving one-third to be borne by the tray ling public. The increases will mean / more on some fares. Only 15 per cent the, single fares will be involved and t 2d. minimum will be retained,