A study of a number of works bus and coach services operating with little or no financial support from employers is reported. All operated over routes more than 8 km in length. Fares were less than those charged on many conventional stage carriage services and, in terms of pence per km, decreased as route length increased. When route lengths were greater than 12 km, fares were lower than the perceived costs of motoring, taken to be petrol costs of 2p per km (1978 prices). Generally vehicle loads were 40 or more. Overall the group of services exhibited features which an earlier economic study had predicted would be necessary for break-even operation. The work indicated that female workers were generally prepared to tolerate higher fare levels, which meant that services for women could operate over shorter distances on a break-even basis. It also suggested that break-even services for women could be operated to smaller work units. In a speculative section the advantages, disadvantages and potential of works bus operation are discussed. (Author/publisher)
Abstract