Threat to Private Operators in U.T.A. Report ?
Page 51
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pOINTED references are again made
in the report of the Ulster Transport Authority for the year ended September 30, 1953, to the activities of private operators of commercial vehicles, and even of car and motorcycle owners. The U.T.A. lost £248,955 last year, compared with £470.451 in the previous 12 months.
After stating that the number of privately run lorries in Northern Ireland rose from 20,193 to 21,419 in 1951-52, the report says there was a substantial increase in trunk haulage vehicles carrying traffic that would otherwise be conveyed by the U.T.A. There was no doubt that the Authority's greatest competitors were "legitimately used lorries belonging to merchants, manufacturers and farmers."
With regard to private-car and motorcycle operation, the report states that a great loss of passenger traffic was entailed and was clearly increasing.
The rail section of the undertaking lost £265.2133„ but the buses showed a progt of £111.772 and the goods vehicles a surplus of £86,141. U.T.A. lyJses covered 32m. miles last year and carried 97m. passengers, representing decreases of 759.321 miles and 1.3m. passengers compared with the previous 12 months.
Gross earnings of the buses rose, although £24,532 less was earned on private-hire work. This decline is attributed to reduced spending power and the greater availability of commodity goods. Average fleet strength was 884 buses. Thirty-seven new semi-luxury 42-seaters were introduced for tourist work. A successful trial with passenger-address equipment was made.