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Fares Increases General : Objections Continue
Page 114
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RESULTS of 10 months' operation since the last increase in the price of fuel in March, last year, in the course of which costs have been rising steadily, have caused anxiety to many passenger-transport undertakings.
The new cycle of applications for higher fares which started with the largest operators some months ago, is now becoming far wider in its effect, as is shown by the larger number of applications now before the Licensing Authorities. Despite the adverse trend of costs and traffic figures, objectors continue to prolong hearings of applications.
When the hearing before the West Midland Licensing Authority was resumed in Birmingham, last Friday, of the application of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., for higher fares, one of the objectors' representatives declared that the concern had made tremendous profits from 194671949, and said that instead of paying large dividends, a more equalized distribution would have been more satisfactory.
No Reductions Suggested "The public in the past has provided excellent revenues for the bus: companies," he said. "Despite the tremendous profits made, the company has not at any time between 1935 and 1951 suggested a reduction in its fares because it was doing so well. But the moment adverse conditions are met, increases are required."
The objectors contended that the proposed increases had been unfairly distributed, and the greater proportion of the higher costs could be borne by a reduction in the company's profits. The increases proposed are estimated to produce an additional £308.878 annually; Decision was reserved.
Newport Corporation has received permission to institute new charges, which were introduced last Sunday. Approximately 50 per cent. of all bus journeys now cost id. more.
Hastings Trolleybus Fares
The application of Hastings Tramways Co. for increased fares has also been granted. The lid, fare is unchanged, but the 21d.. 31d. and 5d. tickets cost Id. more, the season tickets go up 5 per cent. and workmen's return fares will cost I i times the single fare. The parent company, Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., received permission to advance motorbus fares last September.
Faced with the need to augment revenue by £20,500 a year, Sunderland Corporation is to apply for permission to introduce a 5d. universal workmen's return ticket to replace the present 2d. universal workmen's single. It is estimated that revenue will be increased by this means by 118,864 a year.
Mr. N. •Morton, general manager, declared last week that costs had advanced by £43,500 a year since August, 1951, when fares were last raised. Since 1939, running costs had gone up by 115 per cent., whereas fares had risen by 40 per cent. Only half the recent advances in costs were being passed on to the public.
Comprehensive changes in fare A28
schedules are proposed by Wolverhamptem'Corporation. Application has been made to raise the minimum adult single fare from lid. to 2d., and the workmen's minimum return fare from 3d. to 4d_ It is also suggested that id. be added to all remaining fares bearing an odd id.
A 2d minimum and revised ordinary single and workmen's return fares involving increases from Id. to Is„ are proposed by City of Oxford Motor Services, Ltd. In all, 83 services are affected by the proposals, by which, in the main, local single fares will be advanced by id. or Id. No suggestion is made that odd id. fares be eliminated.
East Midland Motor Services, Ltd., has applied for permission to bring charges on 12 routes into line with those of Trent Motor Traction, Ltd.
Removing id. Units
Variations involving the removal of odd Id. units from the fare tables, the revision of return fare rates so that they arc calculated at 12times the proposed single fare, and,workmen's return fares at II times the single fare, are suggested by Westcliff-on-Sea Motor Services, Ltd. On some routes, co-ordination with charges of the Eastern National Omnibus Co., Ltd., is suggested and the introduction of weekly tickets on some routes is proposed. Twenty-two routes are concerned.
Stage revisions are among new proposals put forward by Rawtenstall Corporation. The undertaking proposes that first stages up to half a mile should cost lid. and each additional stage id. more up to 5d., whilst fares above 5d. including an odd id. should be increased by id. It is also suggested that the remaining workmen's fares be abolished. In all, 20 services are affected, of which eight are operated jointly with five other operators.
Additions of Id.-Id. to ordinary fares and 3d.-4d. to workmen's weekly tickets are being considered by Ipswich Corporation. Last Year's deficit of /27,698 was met out of the general rate fund and it is estimated that this year, despite the introduction of higher charges in March. 1952, there will be a deficit of £17,100. It is expected that the new rates, if granted. would augment revenue by £17.500 a year.
Further modifications are.being considered by Lincoln Corporation, which expects a loss of £'7,800 this year. The abolition of 2d. and 3d. ordinary tickets and 22-journey weekly tickets is among the latest proposals. It is also suggested that new scholars' fares and 12-journey weekly tickets be introduced.