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B.E.T. Companies Warn of Cuts to Come: More One-man Buses

8th August 1958, Page 42
8th August 1958
Page 42
Page 42, 8th August 1958 — B.E.T. Companies Warn of Cuts to Come: More One-man Buses
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STERN warnings about further cuts in rural bus services were given last week by the chairmen of two companies controlled by the British Electric Traction Co., Ltd. Mr. John Spencer Wills, of the Western Welsh Omnibus Co., Ltd., and Mr. T. Robert Williams, of the Aldershot and District Traction Co., Ltd., both complained of the Government's attitude over the fuel tax and forecast that more of their services would have to be pruned.

Mr. Wills said receipts in the year ended March 31 dropped by £26,000 despite two fare increases and the fact that routes taken. over from Green's Motors, Ltd., earned L76,000 more than the previous year. Expenses rose by £56,000, although fuel costs dropped by £30,000.

The drop in passengers was 8m. and, although mileage went down by 467,000 miles, the net profit declined from £169,000 to 00,000. At present, 58 per cent, of their routes were unremunerative, which amounted to 41 per cent. of mileage.

Drastic Cuts "We propose shortly to introduce one-man buses on a nurntiCr of suitable services as some slight easement of the difficulties regarding rural services," said Mr. • Wills. "Drastic curtailment of many services and the actual abandonment of others is, however, inevitable.... There is the prospect in the near future of many parts of the country being left without any public transport services at all."

The Budget had added to their burdens instead of lightening them for the profits tax went up from 3 per cent. to 10 per cent.

"I am coming to feel that the Government's professed concern over rural services can only be regarded as hypocritical," he added.

During the year, Western Welsh bought 18 new coaches, and they placed orders for 32 double-deck buses, 24 .single-deckers, 12 semi-coaches and six coaches.

54 per cent. of stage routes were now being run at a loss, which amounted to 43 per cent, of their total mileage. It was a burden which could no longer be shouldered and -further cuts would have to be made.

The company's policy of buying modern underfloor-engined vehicles had continued, and during the year they took delivery of another 23, all of which were suitable for one-man operation. It was hoped that the increased seating capacity would enable them to reduce the mileage of duplicate vehicles. Mr. Williams said in his report that Aldershot and District had suffered an 11.6 per cent. drop in passengers, so it was clear that any further costs could not be met by increased fares. However,


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