Token Resistance to W. National Bid
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ONLY token opposition was offered by 14 Devon, Somerset and Dorset local authorities, to an application, heard befOre the Western Traffic Commissioners at Bristol last week, by the Western National Omnibus Co., Ltd., and the Southern National Omnibus Co., Ltd., to raise fares to meet the recent wages award.
Mr. H. L. Ellis, director and general manager of both companies, said the additiofial cost to the companies would be £155,000. Operations during 1960 brought about a net profit of £173,949. If the proposed fares were sanctioned, estimated profit would be £198,600.
The new proposals provided for the retention of the 2d. minimum fare, but only a proportion of the lower fares would be increased. One could still take a ride in a £6,000 bus for the price of a box of matches, said Mr. Ellis.
Announcing the Commissioners' decision, the chairman, Mr. S. W. Nelson, said: "We think on the whole it is the fairest way of spreading these increased costs over the travelling public—they must pay for their transport. If people would calmly compare bus fares with other public charges, they would realize how reasonable they were."
£129,000 Yield Increases were also sanctioned in respect of the services of Hants and Dorset and Wilts and Dorset Motor Services. In the case of the former these provide for graduated increases on a fare-by-mileage basis principally in the range of 2d. to is.; 84.5% of fares being increased.
Cost of the new wage increases would be £150,290, and the proposed new fares would yield £129,000. The company's chief accountant said they did not anticipate any passenger resistance this time and had allowed nothing for it.