Publicity would emphasise that the effect of this proposal would merely put students travelling on KCR on an equal footing with those travelling on trams and franchised buses and with children under 12 travelling on KCR (although, of course, the latter get half price travel on Sundays and public holidays, while the students would not). The measures inherent in the arrangements to minimise hardship to individual families would also be pointed out. In addition it would be emphasised that the present anomalous situation cannot be permitted to continue indefinitely and that the present price of scholar tickets has remained unchanged since 1957.
Financial Implications
12
To reflect the subsidy element in the present arrangements, a notional credit is shown in the KCR accounts and this stood at some $3.1 million in 1977/78. With the proposed change, a notional credit would still be shown in the accounts but the amount would be smaller.
13
It is felt that (particularly bearing in mind the comments of the Public Accounts Committee), as a matter of principle, the continuing loss of revenue to the KCR inherent in the existing situation should be brought to an end as soon as possible.
Advice Sought
14
(a)
Honourable Members will be asked to advise:
whether the cost of KCR scholar tickets should be increased to the equivalent of a KCR child fare as proposed in paragraphs 4 and 5 above, and, if so,
(b)
whether the implementation date should be 1st March 1979 or some other date.
(The Secretary for the Environment (Mr D. J. C. JONES) and the General Manager Railway (Mr D. M. HOWES) will attend before the Council for the discussion of this item).
8th February 1979
(CR 65/581/76 II)
COUNCIL CHAMBER
CONFIDENTIAL