ECONOMIC OPERATION OF PASSENGER SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS
1. It is established that a large number of passenger services in
rural areas, whether on branch lines, or as stopping trains serving main line wayside
stations, are run at a loss.
In marginal cases, loss can be turned into profit by the substitution of
steam services by standard diesel multiple unit trains.
In others, there is no prospect whatever of profitable operation by the
use of present equipment and methods. But the service may have a value as a main line
feeder, and a rail passenger service may have to be maintained for social reasons.
2. When closure of branch line or wayside station is for one reason
or another either impossible or undesirable, and passenger services must continue, even
though unprofitable, it is clearly desirable that economy in operation be carried to the
ultimate, and that unorthodox methods of operation must be used where necessary to achieve
this end.
3. Much has been said in the past about the economies that may be
derived from the operation of light diesel railcars, but generally it has been asserted that
these would be so small in relation to track, signalling and other operational costs, as not
to justify their use.
However, many services of light railcars are now operating, with apparent
success, in Continental Railways and there is a public demand for the operation on such
vehicles in Britain in rural areas, where fears are entertained of the widespread loss of
rail transport.
