Accrington on Rails - The Tramways: A Complete History - Robert Kenyon

(1) ‘PENNY FARES’. A detailed analysis was submitted by the Tramway Manager on the first full week’s working of the revised fares and stages since they had come into force. They showed that takings were ‘slightly’ down on the previous week and when compared to the corresponding week during 1923. (2) ‘TICKET PUNCHES’. A consideration had been given to obtaining 46 Bell Punches in place of hiring them as at present. After agreeing to purchase these, a number of tenders had been submitted by competing firms, and the one from the Bell Punch & Printing Company @ £3 – 15s – 0d per machine was accepted. (3) ‘HALF FARES’. A letter was considered from the Secretary of the Unionist Labour Committee, asking if the Council would be willing to permit children up to the age of 14 to travel on the tramcars for half fare at all times. However, the Sub-Committee regretted they were unable to grant this request. It was then resolved these proceedings would be approved and adopted. At a meeting of the Electricity & Tramways Committee, with regard to the Accrington Corporation Tramways (Temporary Increase of Charges) Order 1924, the Town Clerk reminded them that this order would cease to have effect from December 31 st next. He inquired if it was their intention to apply for another extension, and if so, the application would have to be in by October 15 th next, and the formal notice should be accompanied by data and particulars on forms of return with the application. The above was submitted direct from the Sub-Committee as a matter of some urgency owing to the short time left for giving formal notice and making an application to the Ministry. Still on the subject of 1 penny fares, the Electricity & Tramways Committee received a report from the Tramway Sub-Committee, stating they had scrutinised the traffic statistics covering a further period under the revised fares structure from the 11 th to the 24 th of September inclusively. The decrease in revenue was not considered to be so significant as to warrant any more changes for the time being. It was therefore decided that the revised fares and stages would remain for the time being, and that the Tramway Manager should produce further statistics on the 27 th of the month. This course of action was then approved. The Annual Report of the General Manager of Accrington Corporation Tramways, for the Year ending March 31 st , 1924. REVENUE Gross revenue for year = £54,998. Gross expenditure = £36,366. Net revenue = £18,632. Plus dividend on sinking fund = £188. TOTAL = £18,820. The amount charged for interest on loans, dividends on stocks, redemption of debt and income tax was £12,895. The cost of the Motor Ambulance was £166. TOTAL = £13,151. We have the sum of £5,669, and to this add what was brought forward last year = £3,881 gives a total of £9,550. From this total a contribution to the rate is made of £2,000 + £2,330 = £4,330. This sum has been transferred to the Depreciation & Renewals Fund as the contribution for the year of £5,212. The Depreciation & Renewals Fund at March 31 st last, was £34,453, and added to this the net interests on investments for the year @ £1,183, plus contributions from the Revenue Account @ £2,338, making the amount in credit at the year-end of £37,974. Since incorporation the losses on the Tramway borne by the rates prior to electrification have totalled £9,334. The amounts repaid are as follows – 1912/13 = £734.

1913/14 = £2,029. 1914/15 = £2,013. 1923/24 = £2,000. TOTAL = £6,776. Leaving the total sum still owing to the rate fund of £2,558. GENERAL

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