Midlands BRS puts rates up 25 per cent
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
AN INCREASE in operating costs of more than 30 per cent during 1974 was blamed by Midlands British Road Services Ltd for a rates increase of 25 per cent, announced at the end of last month. At the same time the company launched what it claims to be Britain's first major radio-controlled• recovery service. The service began on Monday this week.
Of the 30 per cent cost rise, 16 per cent had occurred since July, the company reported. In the last three months of the year costs rose by £1.2m. mainly as a result of salary increases and charges for virtually every other transport item. Explaining the rates increases, managing director Mr Ken Cook said that the company was seeking a way of linking price rises with the published index systems, Other BRS companies are understood to be concluding negotiations for increases of between 20 and 30 per cent.
Mr Cook said Midlands BRS was "examining every possible way in which we can improve our efficiency with greater utili7ation of our fleets and by reducing maintenance and other down-time factors, all of which affect our profitability". Empty running had been reduced from 17 to 10 per cent •in the past 12 months. Annual costs for maintaining the 1200-strong fleet were now more than El. 1m and fuel costs were above £1.5m.
The new service network is available to other parts of the National Freight Corporation together with any other commercial vehicle operator. Four strategic radio sites — at Oxford, Swindon, Wolver hampton and Worcester are claimed to give coverage of all roads in the Birmingham, Swindon, Oxford, Wolverhampton and Coventry areas.
The service is only now being completed, but the station at Oxford has been open since March and received more than 100 calls last month. Each of the four centres is equipped with comprehensive workshops and both light and heavy mobile wreckers. There are mobile workshops and vans carrying parts as well. There are a total of 15 vehicles on the two-way radio network and further resources can be used from any of the company's 17 branches.