NORTHCOTE BUS SERVICE

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 222, 19 September 1929, Page 24

NORTHCOTE BUS SERVICE

THE WHARF TERMINUS. "TO TURN OR NOT TO TURN?" LICENSING AUTHORITY DISCUSSION At last night's meeting of the No. 2 Licensing Authority, there was fully discussed a long-standing dispute between the Northcote Borough Council and the Waitemata Bus Company, about the traffic conditions at the wharf terminus of the company's bus route. Mr. E. Aldridge, who presided, stated that the matter had been before the Licensing Authority on several occasions, the point at issue being the practice of the loaded buses backing down the hill from the turning circle at Northcote to deliver their passengers at the wharf. The Northcote Council asked that the cessation of the practice should be made a condition of the service license, whereas tho Licensing Authority was of the opinion that a local by-law would be the best means of control. The present conference of interested parties had been called to finalise the matter.

Messrs. Ellis. George, Taylor, and Mays (traffic inspector), explained the attitude of the Northcoto Borough Council, and by means of diagrams illustrated the problem, Mr. Ellis stressing, the danger of a bus turning and backing with a full load. On behalf of the bus company, Messrs. Ryan and Eraser contended that, owing to the configuration of the terminus, the buses were compelled to back and turn, and that it would be more dan-o-erous to back uphill than downhill as the range of visibility was considerably decreased. The borough council's suggestion doubled the amount of turning. The chairman said that the Licensing Authority was responsible for three things, service to the community, safety of passengers, and adherence to timetable. The control of buses on stands was in the hands of traffic inspectors and the police. However, they were prepared to assist in every Way to solve the problem. He thought that by ii regulation governing procedure during the rush hours, or the limitation of passengers during the turning operations the position would be helped. The bus company's representatives concurred in this view, and expressed their willingness to co-operate.

Ultimately, on the motion of Mr. Hislop, the decision was reached that the matter should be referred to a conference between the Xorthcote Borough Council and the Waifemata Bus Company, with a request that they should jointly agree upon certain conditions to be endorsed upon the service license by the Licensing Authority at a subsequent meeting.