BUS COMPETITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 292, 10 December 1925, Page 10

BUS COMPETITION.

THE SUGGESTED REGULATIONS CONTROL OF FARES AND ROUTES. COMPULSORY INSURANCE. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WELLINGTON, this day. Several months ago representatives of the municipal tramway authorities approached the Prime Minister with the object of socuring some safeguards against unfair competition by motor buses against the existing tramway services. It was urged that the buses should be subject to similar control and inspection as the tramways, and niat they should be under the same obligations to maintain reliable time-tables and reasonable fares. The deputation was promised that the Public Works Department's officers, who administer the tramways inspection system, would frame draft regulations | which would be submitted to the tram and bus owners in the Dominion for their opinions before the regulations were promulgated under Order-in-Council. The proposed regulations are being circulated among tramway authorities, bus owners and others interested in public transit services. They provide for a very complete system both of inspection and control of motor buses and their drivers, also covering the important point of competition between the rival systems with the object of preventing wasteful overlapping or cut- , throat competition. Ten transport districts are proposed to be set up, seven in the North Island and three in the South Island. In each district will sit, when required, a transport appeal board, with power to give final decisions on questions referred to it. This body will consist of a stipendiary magistrate as chairman, and it may hear appeals from the local licensing authority or the Minister, whose Department is to ittave powers of inspection and the passing of motor vehicles in the same manner as that exercised in connection with the tramways. In addition to the chairman, the board will comprise one member appointed by the general Government, one representative appointed by the proprietor of the publicly-owned tramway or bus service in the district, and, if there is a privately owned tramway system in any district, a representative of such system may act In place of a representative from any public undertaking. In cases where a privately owned system is concerned, there will also be one representative of the local authorities in the licensing district, and a member representing the proprietors of motor buses in the district. The appointments are to be made by the Governor-General after consultation with the interests concerned. Control Over Competition. One of the powers proposed to be given the Transport Appeal Board is the right to order the production of books and other documents of either party. This provision would be applicable where appeals are made against the fares charged on any route. One proposed clause provides that where a bus route is near the route of any tram or trackless trolley, the fares charged shall not be less than the fares on such tram or trackless trolley, and that in the event of any dispute the question shall be referred to the Transport Appeal Board. Power is given the local licensing authority to define the route over which a motor bus may operate, the fares to be charged, and the time-table to be observed, these, and other conditions of the license to be subject to appeal if necessary. If any new service is proposed, the regulations provide a means of appeal to the Transport Appeal Board for decision whether the existing service is sufficient for public requirements, and where tramways and bus services are competing, but if, in the opinion of the licensing authority the tramways service is sufficient, it may refuse to license a bus service, though this restriction would be subject to final decision by the Appeal Board. r Control Over Drivers. Before a person can be licensed to ■ drive a public omnibus, the regulations state that he shall be examined by a medical officer appointed by the Minister of Public Works, the medical test to Include vision, colour vision, physical defects and disease. The regulation also proposes, in line with tramway practice, that a driver may be required to submit himself for medical examination At any time. licensing Motor Buses. " The Minister of Public Works may appoint any local authority to be the licensing authority throughout the license district, and licenses granted may be available throughout that district, and a wider area if needed in accordance ■with, the authorised route. It is proposed that on and after April 1, 1920. the license system in respect of drivers and .vehicles shall operate, applications to "be made, on the preceding February 10. The vehicles for which the licenses are required are to be inspected by the inspecting engineer of the Public Works Department, who will require them to meet tie conditions regarding adequate brakes, fire outlets, and suitability for the.Bervice. Buses must be provided with jacks, stored in a suitable locker, and the' owner, before securing a license, must deposit with the licensing authority a paid up policy of insurance, against such sums for which he may become liable by way of damages in respect of the injury to persons or property. The insurance for a bus of a seating- capacity of ten passengers must be for an aggregate of £5000, increased by £500 for. each, passenger over that number. Bus proprietors will be required to report any accident within 48 hours, and the licensing authority is to be given power to cancel or suspend the licenses after" the various interests concerned have had the opportunity of considering the draft regulations. There will bo a conference in Wellington prior to their nnal adoption.