£25,500 Economies to Meet Bus Pay Award
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HIGHER wages have added £30,000 to the costs of the Devon General Omnibus and Touring Co., Ltd„ but they intend to gain £25,500 through economies— using more one-man buses; revising timetables, and running vehicles with greater seating capacities.
The Western Traffic Commissioners heard this at Bristol. last week, when the company asked for minor fare revisions to bring in £4.500. They were opposed by 18 local authorities, all of whom claimed that even more economies should be practised to avoid fare increases.
For the company, Mr. S. D. Herington said their last application was granted in September, 1957. Now they wanted to increase certain sub-standard day returns up to a maximum of 3d., and to revise other fares so that they came into line with those charged by Exeter Corporation, Western National Omnibus Co., Ltd., and Southern National Omnibus Co., Ltd.
This would bring in £4,500 out of the 130,000 needed to meet the wage award, and the difference would be made up by economies.
Mr. P. F. Clarke, for the objecting local authorities, claimed that the application was premature as further economies could yield the £4,500. It was wrong in principle to apply for such a petty amount considering the damage the publicity would cause. A further application would probably be made in the near future. Mr. Herington replied that wholesale alterations were not possible at present. The company merely wanted to get rid of anomalies in the fare scale.
The Commissioners granted the application, together with an application by Exeter Corporation, who wanted to end anomalies outside the city.
When the Yorkshire Commissioners heard an application by the Mexborough and Swinton District Traction Co., Ltd., they were told about secret meetings" by local authorities. Mr. D. R. Vernon, the company's traffic manager, said these Meetings were jiggery pokery by the local authorities who were discussing the compulsory acquisition of the company.
The application was for the four-stage 3d. fare on motorbuses to be increased to 4d. For the company, Mr. S. D. Herington said this would yield £1,500, and a similar increase on trolleybus routes would bring in £2,500. The wage bill had gone up by £5,459, and a further £1,000 would probably be lost this year through falling traffic receipts.
Mr. G. F. Clegg, clerk to Rawmarsh Urban District Council, submitted that the company's 30 trolleybuscs were due for replacement in 1960, and if motorbuses were substituted there could be a gain of £25,000.
Decision was reserved.
At Brighton, the South Eastern Commissioners agreed to £42,000 increases proposed by Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., aimed at helping to meet the wage
award of £84,000 a year. Mr. if J. Thom, chairman, remarked that the company seemed to have done all they could in face of heavy increases in costs, and their proposals were such that not too much hardship would be suffered by passengers.
The traffic manager, Mr. G. Duckworth, said the 2d. fare would be retained, although it was proposed to • shorten stages on fares up to 8d. New fares of 2id. and 3fd. would be introduced, but some 4d. fares would be reduced. Season tickets for .single fares over I Id. would go up slightly and so would scholars' season tickets.
The 'balance of the wage award would be met by cutting mileage, using more one-man vehicles, and having replacement vehicles with larger seating capacities.
Fare increases sought in Scotland by Garelochhead Coach Services, Ltd., were granted " in principle" by the Scottish Commissioners. Mr. J. Law, for the company, said they wanted to cover the pay award by bringing their fares into line with those now granted to Scottish Omnibuses, Ltd.
The Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, Ltd., who also wanted to bring their fares into line, were granted increases on three stage services. They faced no opposition.