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A PROGRESSIVE NORTHERN BUS CONCERN. The New Petrol Tax and Other Matters under Discussion at a

8th May 1928, Page 73
8th May 1928
Page 73
Page 74
Page 73, 8th May 1928 — A PROGRESSIVE NORTHERN BUS CONCERN. The New Petrol Tax and Other Matters under Discussion at a
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Meeting of the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd.

MHE effect upon the bus industry of J._-the imposition of a tax of 4d. per gallon on petrol was discussed at the annual meeting of the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., which was held recently.

The chairman of the company, Mr. R. J. Howling, C.B.E., 1VI.Inst.C.E., said he was afraid that the value of the motorbus was not sufficiently recognized at Westminster. It had played a big part in solving the housing problem by enabling workers to live in cheerful, healthy and congenial surroundings at some distance from their places of employment and he continued to say that Mr. Churchill did not seenf to attach much importance to the value of cheap travel to these and other people, to judge from his Budget provisions. Actually, what the petrol tax meant to his own company was an increase of ISO to £90 per annuli, in the working costs of each bus, which represents a total increase of £20,000 for the fleet of 260 vehicles. Although he did not contemplate any general increase in fares on the company's services.in the near future, rates on certain routes would, he said, have to be revised.

Turning to the bid which the railway companies are making for power to operate road services, Mr. Howling said it was not so much the motorbus RS the cheap light car which was proving the real competitor to the railways. In his opinion, buses were better fitted to cater for short-distance traffic than the rail roads, whilst there was room for both to show a reasonabl return for capital invested. without embarking upon cut

throat competition. .

Discussing a recently made working arrangement between the company and the Sunderland Corporation by which the company was enabled to operate services in and around that town, Mr. Howling said the company, after taking Its working expenses from the returns, deducted a first charge -in respect of .dePreciation and interest on capital, and the _balance was divided between the corporation and the company in the ratio of the route mileage operated by each concern inside and outside the borough. In that way, the corporation was able to 'extend local passenger routes outside the borough boundaries and the company was able to obtain access to the central parts of the town. It was an arrangement which had been found In practice to be satisfactory to both parties.

He regretted that many other licensing authorities had not displayed the same broad-mindedness. The provision of satisfactory services of a frequency required adequately to serve the public was a matter requiring expert handling and the expert should be trusted and given a free hand.

The object of the company in setting aside such a large sum as £53,000 for renewals was that, in his opinion, there was no better way of safeguarding its business from competition than by providing the public with the best and most comfortable vehicles available.

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