TRAM FARES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 94, 22 April 1925, Page 10

TRAM FARES.

TO EDEN PARK.

SIXPENNY MINIMUM PROPOSED

REJECTED BY MOUNT ALBERT

When the City Council's proposed minimum fares for trams to Eden Park, as contained in the, draft Order-in-Council, came before Mount Alber, Borough Council last evening, strong objection was taken by several speakers to the suggested minimum of sixpence for three sections. The clause in question authorised the minimum fare of sixpence for one, two, or three sections on all trams running on Edendale Road to the Eden Park loop. It further provided that fourth and subsequent sections would cost an additional penny per section, and that tickets for the. loop line (three sections sixpence) be obtainable at any point on the tramway system, provided extra seci tions travelled* be paid for as stated. j "It is just as well we are not amalgamated with the city," declared Mr. H. A. Miles. "Had we been amalgamated we would have had to accept this sixpenny fare." He thought the matter should be investigated. It was only a fourpenny trip, and Edendale people, in addition to being crowded out of their cars, were to be charged sixpence. He thought Mount Albert should bring some pressure to bear, and he moved that the question be referred to the Legal and Finance Committee.

Mr. L. F. Simmons seconded, and pointed out that at the Great South Road and at Remuera the residents had been unablo to resist the imposition of shilling fares on race days, which fares had been detrimental to those living in those districts. Edendale peopfe living beyond the second section were going to be penalised for the sake of those going to Eden Park. The fact- that such a proposal could be resisted was certainly a point against amalgamation. Mr. R. E. N. Matthews supported what had been said, but he thought the council should absolutely object to being "had." A sixpenny fare for a twopenny, threepenny or fourpenny journey would prevent Edendale people using the trams. There was no justification for such a penalty. The loop gave the tramways a monopoly over the motor buses, and now the City Council wanted to make an imposition on the public by charging 33i per cent extra fares. He moved that the clause be absolutely opposed.

The Ma3 r or (Mr. L. E. Rhodes) agreed that the proposed fare should be objected to, but he thought the eotincil might hear what the city had to say by way of explanation.

Mr. Matthews: The meaning is clear; they are going to charge a minimum of sixpence, even for one section. I object to that charge for using the loop. It is a surprise to mc that the clause has been inserted.

Mr. Miles: I think there is something behind the clause, and I would like to see it deleted. The city may run cars that are all "specials" with perhaps a single exception.

The Mayor: They would run their ordinary cars.

Mr. Miles: They might, but race day experience shows that very often they do not keep to their ordinary time-table at all. The Eden Park loop was not a costly job; they used old material and put it in very loosely, although no doubt it is a good job. To my mind, however, that sixpence is intended to make up some leeway in the tramway finances. The original motion was" then withdrawn, and it was unanimously decided to reject the clause.