THREEPENNY FARE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 232, 1 October 1929, Page 10

THREEPENNY FARE.

WHAT IT WOULD MEAN.

BOARD'S FACTS AND FIGURES.

LOCAL BODIES TO BE

CONSULTED.

All the local authorities in the Auckland transport area are to be supplied with certain facts and figures by the Transport Board in view of the .attitude certain of the local bodies have taken up in the advocacy of the threepenny flat rate fare on the city trams. "In the light of the following facts," the letter from the board will state, "are you of the opinion that the proposal is ono which is likely to commend itself to the mass of the travelling public?" 1. Assuming no decrease in traffic I through the institution of the flate rate, the fare would be 3d. irrespective of the distance travelled. 2. All concession tickets, except for school children, would be abolished. 3. Each journey would be for the whole or any portion of the route .between city terminus and any outer terminus. i 4. All sections would be abolished. The Estimated Results. 5. On the basis of last year's figures the incidence of the flate rate fare would have the following result:— • (a) 8,000,000 one-section riders, using existing concession tickets at lsd, would pay 3d, an extra l£d, or an increase of 100 per cent. (b) 14,4H0,000 one-section riders, now paying 2d cash, would pay 3d, i.e., Id extra or an increase of 50 per cent. . (c) 7,305,000 two-section riders, using existing concession tickets at 2Jd, would pay 3d, an extra Jd or an increase of 33 1-3 per cent. (d) 10,005,000 two-section riders, now paying 3d cash, would pay 3d, the same as at present. (c) 4,340,000 three-section riders, using existing concession tickets at 3d,.would pay 3d, the same fare as at present. (f) 4,071,000 three-section riders, now paying 4d cash, would pay 3d, i.e., Id less or a decrease of 25 per cent. (g) 1,190,000 four-section riders, using existing concession tickets at 3fd, would pay 3d, i.e., i<l less or a decrease of 20 per cent. (h) 1,057,000 four-section riders, now paying 5d cash, would pay 3d, i.e., 2d less or a decrease of 40 per cent. (i) 90,500 five-section riders using existing concession tickets at 4 id, would pay 3d, i.e., less or a decrease of 33 1-3 per cent. (j) 412,750 five-section riders, now paying Od. cash, would pay 3d, i.e., 3d less or a decrease of 50 per cent. (k) 20,000 six-section riders, -using existing concession cards at s£d, would pay 3d, i.e., 2Jd less or a decrease of 45 per cent. (1) 608,500 six-section riders, now paying Cd cash, would pay 3d, i.e., 3d less or a decrease of 50 per cent. 76 Per Cent Would Pay More. 6. One and two-section cash and concession, also three-section concession riders, constituting 76 per cent of the travellers over the various portions of the tramway system, would pay increases or the same amount as at present. It is to be noted that large numbers of riders travel over one and two sections in the various suburban areas. 7. In the event of the flat rate fare proving unpopular and a serioifs reduction in revenue arising, then the resultant loss would become a charge against the ratepayers, necessitating the striking of a special rate over the whole of the board's district. Note.—The Orders-in-Cbuncil provide that the cash fare for one-section ride shall not exceed 2d. Before applying for an authorising Order-in-Council to permit of a flat rate fare of 3d, it would be necessary for the board to publicly advertise its intention to do so, and should not less than 5 per cent of the ratepayers require it a poll of ratepayers must be taken.