Huddersfield Trolleybus Costs Low E XCEPT for one undertaking which does
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not operate double-deckers, Huddersfield Corporation's trolleybus operating costs per mile are lower than those of any other trolleybus operator in Yorkshire working on comparable terrain, and are considerably lower than those of many undertakings in Lancashire. Major F. S. Eastwood, chairman of the Yorkshire Licensing Authority, made this remark at an inquiry on November 25 into the corporation's proposals to increase trolleybus and motorbus fares.
The corporation sought sanction for the following ordinary fares: One-mile stage, lid. (instead of Id.), 11 miles 2d., two miles 20., three miles 3d., and Id. for every additional mile; workmen's fares to be on the basis of " fare-and-a . half." Brighouse Corporation and Colne Valley Urban District Council objected to the proposed increases in trolleybus fares, and Holmfirth Urban District Council opposed the suggested new motorbus fares.
For Huddersfield Corporation, Mr. M. A. P. Smith said that, following losses on the trolleybuses of £43,089 in the past financial year and £32,118 in the preceding year, it was estimated that the loss in the current financial year would be £62,000. The suggested increases in fares were expected to yield a revenue increase of £85,000, which would give a surplus of about £23,000. This, it was submitted, was the absolute minimum which should be provided to deal with increases in costs likely in future.
Mr. Smith explained that the corporation operated the motorbus services jointly with the Railway Executive, each authority owning half the fleet and sharing trading profits equally. Before the war the surplus on the motorbus services was adequate to meet all commitments, but now it was insufficient. The estimated surplus on the current financial year was £48,250. The proposed higher motorbus fares would, it was estimated, yield a revenue increase of £21,000 a year.
Major Eastwood said that a decision concerning motorbus fates would be given soon.