MORE ROLLING STOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20162, 24 January 1929, Page 12

MORE ROLLING STOCK.

FIFTY NEW TRAMCARS.

ADDITIONAL twenty buses.

TRANSPORT BOARD'S POLICY

Involved m the loan proposals being formulated by the Auckland Transpoit Board is the provision of more rolling stock, additional workshop accommodation and equipment, and new permanent way plant. Some criticism preceded last evening's decision in committee to recommend to the hoard in open meeting that these items should be included unmodified in the approved programme of works.

The detailed items were 50 new tramcars, £152,100 ; 20 new omnibuses, £40.000; additions to workshops, buildings for car and bus overhauling, including plant and tools, £24,900; and new permanent way plant, £13,000. It was explained by the manager, Mr. A. E. Ford, that 24 of the new tramcars were required for the extensions recommended, and the balance for augmenting existing

services. "I think we should have 12 new tramcars at once to augment the present services," said Mr. E. H. Potter. "Where is the money coming from ?" asked Mr. Allum. "We should have enough money out of an income of £700,000," replied Mr. Potter. Trams Out of .Loan Moneys.

"There will be no surplus from the £700.000 to provide new tramcars," said the chairman, in reminding Mr. Potter of the transport deficits in recent years.

"Any surplus from the trams will have to be put on the tracks first," contended Mr. A. J. Entrican.

Other members emphasised it would be essential to buy new tramcars out of loan moneys. The item was then recommend ed to thts board for inclusion in the loan programme.

The question of new buses was then considered. Mr. Ford said that when the proposed extensions were completed, ail the buses taken over from outside companies would have passed the economic limit of their life, and replacement of some of the original ones would have to be considered.

"We know the public feeling in regard to our bus services, and we should consider this question very carefully before including the item in the loan proposals," urged Mr. L. E. Rhodes. "We do not want to risk the rejection of the loan because of the inclusion of money for buses."

Mr. Potter moved that the number of buses be reduced to 10. Replying to references to private enterprise, the chairman said the board could not entirely rely upon that source to provide bus services. He had good reason for supposing that one or two important districts would cnl! upon tlie board to provide bus services. "We should at least have financial provision for these buses," he said. "We are not compelled to build them all. Without desiring to reflect on the management Mr. F. S. Morton urged the expediency of calling in expert advisers to guide the board in its consideration of the proposals. "We should support the management in this matter," said Mr. M. J. Covle, who asked members to visualise the prospective growth of Auckland in the period which the loan expenditure was expected to cover.

Private Bus Enterprise. Private enterprise would do all that was required if given a fair chance, said Mr. Potter. That depended on the policy of the board. If allowed to operate /reely in the thickly populated districts outside the immediate tramway area, as well as in the thinly-populated districts, there would be no reluctance on the part of private bus owners to provide the necessarv services. Mr. Potter's amendment to reduce the number of buses was lost, and the manager's programme was recommended for approval. It. was explained that the item of £24.900 for workshop additions and extensions was designed to meet the demand in connection with overhauling increased rolling stock, building new cars, and modern plant and tools for overhauling buses. Mr. Potter opposed the item on the ground that he considered tenders should be invited for the work of building new qirs, and the estimated expenditure under the item could accordingly be reduced. "It is clear the board must maintain i£s own vehicles," said the chairman. It is also clear that we are not going to build the whole of our new cars. We will only build a negligible number, as may from time to time be decided, in the* interests of the workshops. I think ever.' member is in favour of the general policy of public tender." A * favourable recommendation was given, Mr. Potter dissenting. The provision of new plant the permanent way was approved. The manager said the plant would enable four gangs (about 140 men) to be employed 91 one time in carrying out the extensions. two of which could He constructed at one time. Additional cables, at a cost of £7250. was also approved. Tonof the expenditure of £2OOO in altering the Avondale bus garage was deferred.