STOKE TO PAY 850,000 FOR BUSES?
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QTOKE-ON-TRENT City Council is
considering seeking powers to operate bus services in the city. At a meeting, last week, the council received a report from a special subcommittee set up to go into the matter of the purchase of buses. The report stated that negotiations with a company had been concluded and were acceptable, subject to certain matters of accountancy.
During the discussion the Lord Mayor (Aid. J. H. Dale), who is a haulage contractor, said that if the ratepayers had been wisely led in the past by the City Fathers they would have been saved a great deal of money with regard to transport to-day.
It is understood that the negotiations have been with the Associated Bus Companies, Ltd., which has about 120 vehicles in the city of Stoke-onTrent and the neighbouring, borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The principal operator in the district is the Potteries Motor Traction Co., Ltd., which has about 200 vehicles. On that concern's behalf a statement has been issued to the effect that there has been no communication. with the corporation.
The price mentioned unofficially is a 20-years' purchase on the basis of the average profit. during the past three years, the actual figure being about £850,000, excluding the value of the garages.
VARIED PROGRAMME FOR OMNIBUS SOCIETY.
FOUR meetings, at which papers will be read, have been arranged by the Omnibus Society. They will take place. at 7 p.m. in each case, at the Institute of Marine Engineers, 85-88, The Minories, London, E.C.3.
On October 23, Mr. E. N. Osborne will read a paper on "Transport in the Channel Islands," Mr. L. M. R. Nicholson will deal with "The Function of the Small Proprietor, as Exemplified in Wessex," on November
6, whilst on December 3 -.Mr. G. J. Ponsonby will speak on "Competition and Monopoly in Passenger Transport —Some Comparisons." January 8 is the date fixed for the annual general meeting, to be followed by an address by Mr. Charles E. Lee, C.I.Mar.E., chairman, on "Railway-owned Buses —A Century of Development Reviewed."
MORE TRAMS—BUT 177,000
LOSS.
ALTHOUGH Liverpool Corporation has decided to extend the tramways, Mr. W. H. Legh-Smith, city treasurer, announced last Friday that the tramways undertaking was faced with a deficit of £77,000. An increase in fares might be necessary to make up the loss. The reserve fund, it was stated, is now practically exhausted.
TOUR PRE-ADVERTISED: LICENCE REFUSED
FORTY-SIX people booked seats for a three-day tour from Aberdeen to Blackpool, but when Mr. George Scott; of the Rover Travel Service, Aberdeen, the organizer, applied to the Northern Scotland Traffa Commissioners for permission to run it he was refused. He was criticized for having advertised the tour before receiving a licence.
Mr. William Johnston, manager of the Rover Travel Service, said that he advertised before making application, to ascertain whether there was a public demand for the trip.
Mr. W. Weir, for the L.M.S. Railway Co., alleged that the applicant was making a habit of advertising tours 'before seeking a licence.
Evidence on behalf of the railways Was to the effect that there was to be a railway excursion to Blackpool from Aberdeen during the September holi day week-end. No fewer than 207 people travelled by a similar excursion last year, and there were 131 bookings this year. In other ways there were ample railway facilities for a journey to Blackpool..
Mr. Henry Riches, chairman, pointed out that, in the first place, the application was not competent, and, secondly, in the Commissioners' view, the rail facilities were ample.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS.
I T is understood that the Traffic Com missioners' Annual Reports will be slightly amplified, this year. They will be • issued shortly in their fifth edition.