U.T.A.'s First Profit: Outlook Grave
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FOR the first time since it was established in 1948, Ulster Transport Authority last year made a net profit. I he report for the year ended September 30 last shows a net surplus of £93,772, compared with a loss of £317,265 in the previous year. The cumulative deficit has been reduced. to £2,400,453.
U.T.A. do not, however, expect to make 'a profit in the current'year.
Last year the railways reduced their loss by 1117,986 to £93,863. The profit On road passenger activities rose by £202,979 to £246,026. Road haulage yielded an extra £98,387 'to make a profit of £71,705. U.T.A.'s other activities continued to subsidize the railways.
The higher profit on road passenger transport was obtained despite a reduction in passengers of 4.25m. to 88m. and a drop in mileage by 1.88m. to 28.54m. Mileage oPerated by the goods vehicles also dropped by 185,298 to 11.43m. and the tonnage of goods carried decreased by 29,986 to 1.29ni. On the other hand, livestock increased by 82,959 head. to 956;557. Practically all the livestock was
carried by road. .
The averagenumber of buses taxed wai 884, with a maiimtim of 916. U.T.A. also operated an average of 667 goods vehicles. With a maximum of 706. Among new equipment purchased during the year fivere 30 10-ton tractors and 60 semitrailers. A 200-ton traitor has also been added to the fleet.
Ferry traffic to and from Great Britain increased; 14,338 trailers and .11,320 containers were handled.
More Competition The report refers to the growing use of private transport—cars, motorcycles and goods vehicles. Since 1048 the number of cars in Northern Ireland has more than doubled and there are nearly four times as many motorcycles. The number of lorries rose from 15,149 in 1948 to 26,477.in 1956.
Illegal haulage, particularly of livestock, is stated to be growing and its effect on the Authority's freight business is significant.
Despite much higher rates payable for labour and materials, operating costs were more than £1m, a year lower in 1956-57 than in 1949. Still further demands for higher wages and improved conditions of service now being made would outweigh all internal economies in process of realization.
It would be necessary to raise charges,
even in the face of unsympathetic public reaction and the almost certain knowledge that the stage has all but been reached when the yield from increased charges, made within reason, may be insufficient to redress the balance between. expenditure and income."
U.T.A. would probably be compelled to close further sections of railway and to curtail or eliminate many unremunerafive road services.