Free travel decision delayed
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• Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority has decided to defer a decision on free travel until the Merseyside Metropolitan Council is formed next year. Figures produced at the PTA's latest meeting revealed that free travel on buses, ferries and trains would cost a minimum of £24.75m a year and mean at least an additional 34p in the £ on the rates, The PTE had been asked to prepare a report on free travel and flat fares by Liverpool City Council.
If a flat fare of 5p was introduced a deficit of £7m would still result. To produce a similar revenue to that achieved at present, a flat fare of 6.5p would be necessary. Present fares range from 2p to 13p.
At the same meeting it was revealed that the latest figures available showed that the undertaking's deficit in the current year would be about £5.66m. To finance this entirely from the rates would require an additional 7.8p in the £. The PTA decided to increase fares and rates precept by 5 per cent this year.