Rural Life Upset by HighFares "
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LIIGH bus fares were seriously (Ns " rupting life in rural districts and making it difficult for rural councils to let houses, the East Midland Traffic Commissioners were told last week. They were hearing objections by Great Gonerby (Lines) Parish Council and West Kesteven Rural District Council to fare increases on six routes sought by W. J. Simmons and Co.; Great Gonerhy.
Mr. J. R. Morgan, for the councils, declared that bus companies should look round for ways of economizing instead of increasing fares, which added to the Cost of living. In West Kesteven, the usual pattern was a grant to the LincOlnshire Road Car Co., Ltd., then an application by Simmons to bring their fares into line, and later a similar, though reluctant, application by C. W. Pulfrey, Great. Gonerby;
He claimed that a company as small as Simmons must have great room for economies. They had some very remunerative services between Grantham and Great Gonerby, Grantham and Repsley, and Grantham and Barrowby, together with a town service to Fartsfield and a works service.
"The fare from Grantham to Great Gonerby has increased from 3d. in 1955 to 5id. at the present time," he pointed out. "This is 83 per cent increase, yet no running costs have gone up by a similar percentage."
For Simmons, Mr. A. C. G. Rothera said the company lost £348 in 1956, which did not include interest .bn capital, -or remuneration for the managetnent. Three vehicles and their drivers had been dispensed with, but wages were still £41 higher than in 1956. The company wanted to come into line with Lincolnshire Road Car, and only in a few instances would the increases be higher than 2d. or 3d.
The application was granted.
UNION TALKS DELAY NEW EXPRESS SERVICE MEGOTJAT1ONS with the Transport I "11 and General Workers' Union may delay the start of a new Derby—Nottingham express service granted last month to the Trent Motor Traction Co., Ltd., and Barton Transport, Ltd. (The COmmercial Motor, January 10).
Both companies plan to use nortnal bases on the non-stop route, without conductors. Fares would be collected by the driver at the start of the journey. A starting date has still to be fixed.