South Shields Told to Economize : Bournemouth Not to Aid Rates
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STAIING that the corporation's bus operating costs were the highest in the area. Mr. S. W Nelson, Northern Licensing Authority, hearing the application of South Shields Corporation to raise all fares by d. at the week-ends, declared that if the costs were reduced to the level of other authorities, it could manage without an increase. For the corporation it Was Said that operating costs were 21.9d. per mile, but that the department had never called on the rates for assistance.
Since its inception the transport department had always carried its own third-party risks and had had a reserve fund to meet emergencies and accident claims. This policy had proved profitable, but now the reserve fund, which had once stood at £20,000, was exhausted, and the undertaking had to find an additional £4,500 a year as well as prov:de a reserve fund.
Concessions to Objectors
Permiasion to increase fares was granted to Hants and Dorset Motor Services, Ltd., by the South Eastern Licensing Authority after certain concessions had been made by the concern because of objections from Poole, Gospel'. and Fareham Corporations. Return fares under 9d. were abolished. certain concession farts were increased and some were abolished, whilst ordinary fares were raised, by varying sums from d. to 7d.
Two days later the same Authori:y heard the application of Bournemouth Corporation to revise its fares structure, to increase charges, and introduce a basic fare for motorbuses and trolleybuses. Decision was deferred, but the Licensing Authority said that he would like an undertaking from the corporation that no further transfer of profits to the rate fund would be made without consulting him and the Minister of Transport.
1,200 Yds. for Id.
The fares proposed were based on the principle of up to 1,200 yds. for Id. and a sliding scale thereafter. Workmen's fares were to be abolished and return rates would be based on the single fare plus a third, with a 3d. minimum. The corporation, it was stated, was faced with a deficit of 171,000 next year and 055,000 in 1952.
During the application of South Wales Transport, Ltd., at Swansea, last week, the general manager stated that the main increases in costs had been on account of Wages and fuel. The financial reserves of the company were hopelessly inadequate.
On the previous day, the application of United Welsh Services, Ltd., had been heard, when permission to increase workmen's fares by 50 per cent. had been sought. At the hearing, Swansea Corporation submitted that no application by either company should be granted unless it could satisfy the Licensing Authority that increases were essential to maintain the companies on a safe financial basis, The estimates of the South Wales concern for'1951 were considered to be over-cautious.
Scottish fares, which were expected to be increased on December I, were raised last Monday. All the companies comprising Scottish Omnibuses, Ltd., were affected by the decision. which permits the seven companies concerned to raise fares to not more than Id, per mile.
Dearer return fares on 13 jointly operated bus routes from Manchester were also authorized last week, the increases taking effect last Sunday.
New Applications
New applications have been lodged . in the past week by the following opera. tors:—Thomas Tilstone and Sons, Ltd.. Stoke-on-Trent (six services); Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Road Services. Ltd., and Messrs. B. Sketcher, of Swinefleet, near Goole; Farsiey Omnibus Co., Ltd.. Leeds; Messrs. A. and C. Wigrnore. Dinnington; Northern General Transport, Ltd., Gateshead; Shergold and White, Ltd., Salisbury, and a number of joint operators in the North-Western Area, including Rochdale Corporation.
Services operated by the corporation itself, 26 in all, are principally affected. but joint services run by North-Western Road Car Co., Ltd., and Manchester. Oldham and Ashton-under-Lyne Corporations are included in the application. Widnes Corporation, applying for increased fares on 35 services, is associated with St. Helens Corporation and Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., in the case of three further routes