B.T.C. Will Not Run Joint Services
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WHEN the Scottish Licensing VV Authority heard the application of Glasgow Corporation, last week, to advance the minimum single bus fare from 3d. to 4d., the maximum charge from 5d. to 6d., weekly tickets from 5s. to 7s., and the night-service charge by 3d., Mr. W. F. Quin, chairman, declared that be did not intend to hear representations from political bodies.
A representative of the local Communist Party asked whether this was not an unprecedented decision. Mr. Quin replied that if it were, it was establishing "a useful precedent."
The undertaking had estimated a deficit of £425,000 this year, but two recent wage awards had brought the figure to £568,500. New tares on trolleybuses and trams were, therefore, introduced, which, in conjunction with the proposed motorbus fare increases. would reduce the deficit to £100,000 by May 31, 1954.
Mr. E. R. L. Fitzttayne, general manager, revealed that the wage bill for the buses had gone ma from £7.578 a Week in 1939 to £25.900 in 1952. It was hoped to save £50.000 a year by dropping a number of services. Mr. Ouin asked whether the idea of asking the nationalized bus group to take over all the undertaking's services outside the city and oneratine them on a ioint basis had been considered. Mr. Fitznayne renlied that Scottish Omnibuses, Ltd., was not nrenared to consider a co-ordinated scheme, and, indeed, was unwilling to pay for the services which the eornoration proposed to abandon, "The attitude was that it would be taking over a liability," he said.
Decision was reserved.
"TACKLE ROAD PROBLEM"— MR. COOKE " COME Government at some lime
SOME tackle the road problem, Public anathv on this question is shameful," said Mr. R, Gresham Cooke, director of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, addressing the Glasgow Publicity Club, last week.
He asserted that materials for road building were not scarce. Enough cement had been used at London Airport to build a new road for threequarters of the distance from London to Glasgow.
LOSS ON RURAL ROUTES
RURAL bus services in South Cambria, extending from Talsarau to Llandrindod Wells and from Newtown to Cardigan, are being run at a loss, Mr. H. M. Wynn, divisional manager of Crosville Motor Services, Ltd.. told Dolgelly Rural District Council recently.
T.U.C. TO MEET MINISTER
THE general council of the Trades Union Congress has accepted the invitation of the Minister of Transport to discuss the Transport Bill. Leaders of the Transport and General Workers' Union and the railway unions are likely to he present at the meeting.