"Fortifying" Ribble Revenue : 2d. Minimum. for Bradford
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D ESERVING decision on the applica tion of Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., to increase fares-on express services and country-stage services, the Northern Licensing Authority last week declared that he was satisfied that some " fortification" of revenue was needed. A similar application had been heard earlier in the week by the North-western Licensing Authority.
In the main, it concerned fares not affected by the increase in charges granted in June last year. The general effect of the proposals was to increase charges from 16N per cent, over the pie-war figure to 25 per cent. Between February last year and February this year, when the proposals were prepared. costs had risen by £499,000 a year, said Mr. W. Illackhurst, on behalf of the appl leant.
£111,000 to Find In that period, revenue had been augmented by £174,000 over the amount expected from the previous increase. The present application would bring in another £215,000 a year. This left £111,000 to be found by the company by economy or from extra revenue. Of the sum expected from the proposals, if granted. £1681000 would derive from stage-carriage work and £47,000 from express services. These figures represented a 51-per cent. increase on the total revenue, "thus demonstrating the reasonableness of the application," said Mr. Blackhurst.
Bradford Corporation's application to introduce a 2d. minimum single fare. refused for an experimental period of three months, has now been granted. The new charge was put into effect last Sunday. When the application was first heard, it was stated that the rejection of the 2d. minimum fare would mean a loss of £10,000 a year.
Decision was deferred after the second part of the hearing of the application of the Mexborough and Swinton Traction Co., Ltd., took place last week. The first hearing was held two months ago. The question whether the concern should raise its rates when it had been maintaining a tax-free dividend of 10 per cent. was argued on behalf of Mexborough, Swinton, Conisborough and Rawmarsh Urban District Councils, which objected.
The concern's charges had gone up three times since 1947, while the dividend had been maintained. In 1950, £29,000 was paid in bonuses. For the company it was stated that the employees wages had gone up by 150 Per cent. since 1945 and taxation by 300 per cent. The dividend had not risen at all..
Strong Opposition Nearly 40 local councils have registered objections against a proposed increase in fares by Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd. The application is . to be heard on June 11.
Blackpool Corporation is to apply for higher charges. A 2d. minimum single fare, the removal of odd id. units from the fare tables by adding id. to the present charges and a ld. addition to adult return rates are amongst the proposals, which also seek to increase the availability of workmen's tickets. Extra revenue amounting to £100,000 is required.