Bus Operators Search for More Revenue
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Modified Stage Lengths, Elimination of Some Unprofitable Services and Increased Rates for Schoolchildren are Amongst Operators' Latest Moves FARES variations achieved by modifications of theexisting stage length per unit fare have been granted to Liverpool Corporation in the terms sought. On trams and buses, a lid. ticket will be valid for I-mile, instead of the present 1.46 miles on the trams and 117 miles on the buses. A 2d. ticket will cover a 1/-mile journey, instead of 1.92 miles, and a 3d. ticket, a 2.27-mile journey, instead of 3.54 miles and 3.2 miles on the trams and buses respectively.
Little change takes place with the 5d. and 6d. tickets, but the 7d. bus fare will cover 11.03 miles, instead of 9.19 miles as at present. Some lid. and 2d. tickets are to be reintroduced.
These changes are estimated to produce another £230,000 in a full year. As the deficit for next year is estimated at over £300,000, another application for increases may be made.
Applications have now been lodged by Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., and St. Helens Corporation to bring fares in the Liverpool area into line with the new corporation charges.
Nottingham Tries Again For the third time since the beginning of last year, Nottingham Corporation motorbus and trolleybus fares were discussed, last week, at a hearing of the East Midland Licensing Authority. The proposals under consideration concerned workmen's rates on which an increase of Id. was suggested, and children's rates to which it was desired to
add another Id. This year's deficit would be £33,455, it was stated, which would absorb more than the existing reserves.
Even if the present application were successful, it was stated, a deficit of £80,000 would be incurred by the end of 1952. When the application had been submitted, last December, it had been estimated that by the end of 1952, the department would have been able to make a profit of £90,000. Since then, wage increases had been granted which in 1951-1952 would cost £51,600; tyres would cost another £9,000 in the same period.
al6 Some £80,000 of the £117,000 additional revenue which it was hoped would accrue from the present application, would be needed to meet the deficit which was already apparent. Any delay in implementing the fares revision would cost the undertaking £10,000 a month. Decision was reserved.
All-round supplements of Id, on single and return fares are recommended by Preston Corporation. An application will shortly be filed, and it is presumed that the joint operators in part of the undertaking's area—Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., and Scout Motors, Ltd.—will fall into line.
Blackpool Applies
Nearby, Blackpool Corporation, which had expected a profit of £3,567 this year, now faces an estimated deficit of £66,475 at the end of the 1950-51 period. In the previous year a profit of £44,058 was made. On existing fares, the loss in 1951-52 would be £132,455, but proposals contained in an application before the North-Western Licensing Authority would, if granted, turn this into a profit of £66,669.
All the corporation services, as well as those of Lytham St. Armes, are affected by the variation plan. This suggests increases of id. on fares between Id. and 6d., and Id. increases on those over 6d.; certain return rates to be withdrawn and others to be raised by Id.
A current deficit of £25,000 together with a loss of £50,000 next year were stated as being the reasons for Chesterfield Corporation's application for the variation of fares, which was heard by the Yorkshire Licensing Authority last week. Proposals put before the Authority called for an addition of. id. to fares up to 3d., and Id. and 1d. increases thereafter, aimed at removing odd Id. units from the schedules.
Workmen's daily return tickets, ordinary returns and weekly tickets are to be abolished, and workmen's fares will be established on the basis of half adult fares for journeys completed before 9 a.m. On one route this principle is proposed to be varied to maintain parity with other operators' charges. These proposals would produce an additional £52,676 a year. The Licensing Authority, drawing attention to the fact that some scholars' rates were being increased by as much as 250 per cent., was told by the general manager that some fares were extremely low. After examining examples, the Authority said that it was time that more was paid.
In the Northern Traffic Arta, the Economic Bus Co., Sunderland, has applied for its first increase in 20 years. All single fares are to be raised by id. and returns by id.
Reductions in the frequency of services to outlying districts have been considered •by Oldham Corporation, which has an outstanding application for fare changes. The routes in question have been losing money, it was
stated recently. Action is being deferred for the time being.
Bolton Corporation has been proposing similar moves, with a view to saving £7,150 a year.
Applications for fares variations have been filed by the following South Wales operators: D. J. Morrison, Ltd., Tenby; Ebsworth Bros., Ltd., Laugharne; Messrs. Tudor Williams Bros., Laugharne, and United Welsh Services, Ltd., Swansea.
Increase of 25 Per Gent.?
The last-named application refers to express services, on which an increase of 25 per cent. is requested. Red and White Services, Ltd., is applying for modifications to workmen's rates on routes over which the Western Welsh Omnibus Co., Ltd., operates, and for which increases have been authorized.
Cardiff Corporation has now detailed the amended fares it is proposing to introduce on the buses. These are on the basis of 11d, a mile for the minimum fare, with a sliding scale thereafter, giving 10 miles for 9d. Thirtytwo services are included in the application, which also modifies season and concession fares in accordance with the single-fare amendments.
A resolution passed by the Carley branch of the Amalgamated Engineering Union. last week, advocated the abolition of workmen's fares.