Bus fuel up $185,000

Press, 9 August 1982, Page 4

Bus fuel up $185,000

Measures announced, in last week's Budget will cost the Christchurch Transport Board an extra $185,000 over the next seven months. The increased price of diesel of 58.5 c a litre would, put the board's- fuel bill about $1,416 million for the financial year, said the general manager, Mr M. G. Taylor. This was an increase of $120,000 on the amount allowed for fuel in the board’s 1982-83 estimates. However, the new total was still within the board’s budget of $1,433 million, said Mr Taylor. "But if there are any more fuel price increases for the rest of the financial year (until March. 1982) we will be beyond the estimates."

Mr Taylor said last year's fuel' costs were 16.8 per cent higher than those for the previous year and a 30 per cent increase had been allowed for in the estimates. The withdrawal of sales tax refunds for spare parts for the repair of. the board's buses would cost the board a further $65,000, said Mr Taylor. The Budget had been a “significant one" for the board. The increased fuel and parts costs would be offset by the savings in- wages brought about by the wage freeze, he said. More than $630,000 had been allowed for potential wage increases during the year. The rest of the saving on

wages would help to fund the board’s plans to halve offpeak fares, beginning on August 6, said Mr Taylor. The board would still go ahead with its “off-peak experiment” of allowing halffares to bus users between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and after 6 p.m. during the week, and at any time during week-ends or public holidays. The scheme, which will run until March 31, 1983. would result in a loss of $545,985 in revenue. “We hope we shall work out more or less back at square one, with the wages savings covering the fares scheme and Budget increases, provided there are no more increases in fuel or wages," Mr Taylor said.