Zone bus fares may be doubled by the Transit Commission. In view of company, loses in the last fiscal year amounting to $118,000, a proposal has been submitted to suburban councils asking approval for raising the fares to 10 cents. Zone fares are now five cents.

Increases in fares will affect bus routes where they are two or more zones. Municipalities concerned include St. James, Fort Garry, Assiniboia, North Kildonan, East St. Paul and Charleswood.

Transport manager of the Transit Commission, D. MacDonald, told The Tribune today that these bus routes were "nowhere near a paying basis."

"For a long time we have not been able to do this," he said, "for political reasons, and because of the power contracts we held until recently."

It was impossible to make any reduction in service, he said, and this ws the only solution to mounting loses by the commission.

"We don't like to do this," Mr MacDonald said "and I don't expect the municipalities concerned will either, but it has to be done. The ultimate responsibility rests with the taxpayers."

Under the legislation of the commission, any overall deficit on bus routes must be paid for by the city and municipal taxpayers.

Municipal representatives and transit officials met Monday night, when the commission presented the proposal for consideration by councils involved.

At a meeting to be held June 21, the councils will present their decisions.

Bus routes affected will be:

• From the end of the East Kildonan streetcar run the bus which runs into North Kildonan and East St. Paul. There are two zones on this route.
• Buses running from Deer Lodge into St. James and Assiniboia, where there are two zones.
• Buses running from Polo Park into Charleswood where there are also two zones.
• University and St. Norbert buses, involving a total of four zones.

Estimated saving on the routes having increased fares will be $40,000 a year, Mr. MacDonald said.

At a meeting of Fort Garry council Tuesday the fare increase was discussed but no decision was reached.

A petition claiming to represent 100 per cent of residents on North Drive asked for termination of the Point Rd.-North Drive loop on Pembina Highway bus route.

The petition said that there had been considerable depreciation to houses, roads and sidewalks, due to heavy traffic on North Drive. Residents claimed that they did not use the bus service, and that heavy vehicles such as buses weighing 6,000 pounds were mainly responsible.