Outcry at Rail Freight Rate Increases
Page 27
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
From our Industrial Correspondent THE British Railways Board took particular care to point out this week when announcing the 4 per cent rise in rail freight charges, due to come into force on February 1, that this was the first general increase since 1957. This is true as it goes. But rates for individual traffics have been reviewed—and increased—since then. And this process is going to continue.
On the other hand a large proportion of the freight traffic carried by the railways will not be affected by the increase—for the time being, at any rate. These are the goods moved under contract, which since Dr. Beeching's drive for more business, makes up an increasing share of the total.
Such contracts have been drawn up with a large number of companies in practically every industry. But as they expire and new contracts are negotiated the Railways Board will try to apply the higher rates.