'PTA warning' tour starts

3rd May 1968, Page 61

3rd May 1968

Page 61

Page 61, 3rd May 1968 — 'PTA warning' tour starts

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• Speaking at a press conference in London on Wednesday, Mr. Thomas Lenthall American passenger transport expert, warned of the dangers of setting-up Passenger Authorities in this country. His talk was the prelude to a series of meetings to be held in the four proposed PTA areas (CM last week).

The structure of the PTAs largely copied the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, said Mr. Lenthall, who doubted if there was anything new in the British plans.

Lack of adequate control was a particular problem of the MBTA, he said. The divergent views of members of the Advisory Board had led to so much wrangling and frustration that many members did not now bother to attend.

The lack of proper financial and commercial control was another mistake, said Mr. Lenthall. He felt that too often the MBTA had taken the easy way out—particularly with regard to wage claims—knowing that losses would be met from the rates. Subsidies might be necessary on some services for social reasons. but they must be pre-determined and operate within a system of commercial discipline.

Since the MBTA's establishment in 1964 services had not improved and the deficit had accumulated -wildly". There was insufficient control of individual bus services and in many cases, empty buses were being subsidized. In three years, the Authority, whose duty it was to appoint the manager, had had as many managers.

The latest manager was working hard in an attempt to put the Authority on a proper commercial basis. During the period ended September 30, 1967, the MBTA had had an expenditure of $44m, and a deficit of $24m.