East Midlands Fares Refused
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FROM OUR INDUSTRIAL CORRESPONDENT
ANEW tougher policy towards fares increases in line with the Government's policy of holding down prices became apparent last week when the East Midlands Traffic Commissioners turned down completely applications for higher 'fares from four bus companies and modified those of two others.
In giving his decision Mr. C. M. Sheridan, chairman of the Commissioners, made it clear that in all cases they had given careful consideration to the White Paper on prices and incomes policy. They had also taken into account the financial position of the companies and in four of the eases it was not considered that the increases could he justified. In the other two some rises were, however, justified; because of increased operating costs and the level of operating profit.
Bus company chiefs called the decisions " unprecedented " and officials at the Ministry of Transport could not recall .anything similar, It was denied. however, that any " guidance" had gone out to the Traffic Commissioners. It was for them to consider .whether any application was reasonable.
But there can he no doubt that the result will have delighted Mr. George Brown, who has been pressing for an end to automatic price increases without attempts to absorb higher costs. It follows the Government standstill on bus, tube and rail fares in the London area.
The four companies whose applications for fare increases of up to 4d. on single journeys were turned down were the Midland General Omnibus Co. Ltd., East Midland Motor Services Ltd.. Notts and Derby Traction Co. Ltd. and Mansfield District Traction Co. Ltd. The two whose applications were modified were the Trent Motor Traction Co. Ltd. and Barton Transport Ltd.
More than 20 local authorities objected to the increases when the applications Were heard last month.
Early this week the companies were considering whether or not to appeal against the decisions; Barton Transport
had already decided not to do in. • The Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners, after consultation with the East Midlands, havp also rejected fares applieations in their area by Trent, Midland General, Mansfield Traction, and East Midland.