Mr. James Deplores Roads System
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" THEpresent out-of-date road system, with its narrow bottlenecks and low bridges, not only slows up our services but greatly militates against our efforts to achieve further economies." This statement was made by Mr. W. T. James, chairman of the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., in his annual report last week.
Mileage covered in 1954 was 39m., 665,000 greater than in 1951 An increase of 7m. -passengers brought the total carried last year to 261m.—a resold. Seven new services were introduced, including one run jointly with Suaderland Transport Department. The business of Dales Coaches (Swalwell), Ltd., was purchased.
At a cost of 1478,000, 125 new vehicles were brought into service-23 doulale-deckers, 90 single-deck buses and 12 luxury coaches. Fleet strength Was now about 1,000. Seventy-six vehicles were on order for this year, and advance orders had been placed for another 61 to be delivered some time next year.
The company's first Continental tours began last year and over 900 passengers were carried to France, Germany, Switzerland and Scandinavia. Ten thousand passengers were taken no home tours. This number included 300 tourists from overseas carried under reciprocal arrangements with the United Steamship Co., Denmark, and the Bergen Line, Norway.
The latest wage increase would add £150,000 to the company's yearly wage bill. In spite of a new rise in fares, charges were still only 35 per cent. above pre-war.
The Chester-le-Street garage was being extended to house an additional 97 vehicles, but as bad weather had delayed work the building would not be completed until next year. A new bus station was being built at Sunderland to take 60 vehicles, and was expected to be finished within 18 months.