71d. Off Tax Would Save Fare Rise
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TF the Chancellor of the Exchequer
were to remove only 74d. per gallon from the fuel tax, the Potteries Motor Traction Co., Ltd., would be able tc withdraw their latest application for fare increases, said Mr. R. W. Birch, chairman and managing director, at the annual meeting on Tuesday.
New housing estates on the fringe of Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-underLyme entailed the provision of extended services which, for some time to come. could not be profitable. On existing services traffic had reduced appreciably because of the shift of population.
Substantial economies had been effected in the past year, especially by the complete mechanization of ticketissuing. and reorganization of schedules made possible by the opening of the new Hanley central depot. This accommodated 130 vehicles formerly spread among a number of smaller
garages. The head office had been rebuilt.
Notable savings in fuel consumption had been made since 1952 by the use of light lubricants, and the rising cost of maintenance had been held down bi the purchase of new rolling stock to the value of £132,000. Twenty new lightweight single-deckers of high seating capacity were giving a good account of themselves.
It was sometimes suggested, said Mr. Birch, that the company had a monopoly, but this was far from being the case. There were 16 stage-carriage operators in the district, and many more coach operators engaged in private hire and tours.