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Service Lost £1,000 a Year T HE reliance that stage-carriage operators
Page 76
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had to place on private hire to subsidize unprofitable rural bus services was stressed by Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, chairman of the Northern Traffic Commissioners, at Carlisle last week.
"We do our best to encourage the public to appreciate that they have got to support their own rural stage service," he told local councillors and others from the East CuMberland feltside country who were protesting against the decision of Blair and Palmer, Ltd., Carlisle, to surrender the licence of one of the county's oldest bus services, from Ainstable to Carlisle, after running it for 41 years at an average loss of 11,000 a year.
Leading those who wished to retain the service was the Man who founded it in 1921 with a 14-seat bus, Mr. E. L. Proud, of Ainstable, now chairman of Peririth Rural. District Cduncil. He had carried it on until his 'retirement, when he sold it to Blair and Palmer, who also operate two other local services.
Blair and Palmer had originally given notice to end the service onApril 20,but had extended the period at therequest of the local people. until April 27.
At the close of the hearing, Mr. R. Maiden, general manneer. agreed to
.Mr. Hanlon's request that he should ask his directors to carry on for another fortnight, during which time a meeting could be arranged between the operators and the local authorities to see what could be done to save the service or provide an alternative.
Mr. Maiden explained that, when they took over the service, Blair and Palmer had hoped to make it pay by fare increases, curtailment of running and general support from local people by 'private hire. Running costs, then estimated at Is. 4d. a mileilliPose to Is. 5d. after 12 months, against receipts of Is. Id. a mile.
Asked by Mr. Hanlon whether there had been any support by private hire from the villages on the 21 miles of route, Mr. Maiden replied that only Ainstable, out of the four or five villages, had been " faithful " in that respect. The company had to face competition from coach operators who could employ part-time labour at less than trade-union rates.
Mr. Maiden said that if any other operator was interested in taking over the service, Blair and Palmer would gladly offer bus-station facilities in Carlisle and do anything else to help.
Mr. Hanlon said that one possibility Was a co-operative arrangement locally whereby a bus could be obtained and operated.