Trent Being Priced Out of the Market
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FORM1DABLE increases in costs had . created a position in which the company were in danger of pricing themselves out of the transport market, said Mr. R. J. Ellery, chairman of the Trent Motor Traction Co., Ltd., in his annual report last week.
He listed the factors which had affected the company's carryings last year—the latter part of the Suez crisis, bad summer weather and a strike. Some of the passengers lost because of the stoppage had not returned. The influenza epidemic also deprived the concern of traffic, and there was increased competition from private cars.
"It can occasion no surprise that our passenger carryings showed a contraction of close on 4m. or approximately 6 per cent.," said Mr. Ellery. "Indeed, it is perhaps remarkable that the contraction was not greater."
Extended tours operated last summer attracted a record number of passengers, and the company looked forward to good tours business this year. Twenty-two Leyland Atlantean buses were to be purchased, together with 20 other doubledeckers and 10 "semi-coaches."