Opposition to Fare Increases Grows
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AFURTHER step to combat bus fare increases was taken by 41 Glamorgan, Monmouthshire and Carmarthenshire local authorities in Cardiff, last week, with the formation of a factfinding sub-committee which will keep in close contact with all transport developments.
The committee, comprising councillors and council clerks, was formed at a special conference at which strong criticism was levelled at the bus companies and the South Wales Traffic Commissioners.
The chairman, Ald. F. Edwards, Aberearn, reported on the latest applications by the six major South Wales operators (The Commercial Motor, last week), and said their objection had cost £850. The travelling public had, however, been saved £35,000, because the Commissioners had refused an applicacation for 'a 10 per cent, rise in seasOnticket rates.
Ald. Edwards warned that the companies would renew their application in this respect, because the chairman of the Commissioners, Mr. C. R. Hodgson, had said he was of the opinion that season-ticket holders were travelling too cheaply.
Criticizing the companies for applying for fare increases when they were in a healthy financial position, Aid. Edwards said that in 1952-53 the Western Welsh Omnibus Co., Ltd., had capitalized £1,268,000 of reserves and issued bonus shares to the value of £761,000, but still made successful applications to the Commissioners.
One company which had based an application on financial need were refused, but still managed to afford to pay a 9-per-cent. dividend. When they repeated their application this year, it was granted.
[News of applications for higher fares appears on page 39.]