TRANSPORT CHALLENGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 232, 1 October 1929, Page 8

TRANSPORT CHALLENGE.

PRIVATE OWNERS UNITED,

SHARE IN RACE TRAFFIC

BOAKD DEFERS DECISION.

EFFECT OF PEOPOSED LEGISLATION

Motor bus services have heavily reduced the revenue obtained by the trams from recent race traffic, and the Auckland Transport Board gave consideration to the position when applications from a number of private bus owners were before it this morning. The total number of applications for authority to establish motor omnibus services'" to races and similar places was 31. Several were from the board's general manager, Mr. A. E. Ford, but the majority were from suburban companies. In view of the proposed new legislation in regard to transport applications •lodged by the Passenger Transport Company, L. J. Keyes, Ltd., W. J. Wheeler and Sous, F. Crawford, and the North Shore Transport Company, Ltd., were withdrawn. Mr. V. E. Meredith, representing the 'five applicants, said, the applications had been made in response to a circular sent out'by ■ the board. He suggested the board had been under a misapprehension in the action it had taken, and said• the companies concerned were holding licenses to run to the races. Mr. J; A. C. Allum (chairman): That is not admitted. Mr. 'Meredith: We arc not deterred by: the fact that it is not admitted. We are making no application to the board for licenses, nor do. we admit the jurisdiction of the board to interfere with licenses issued by the licensing authority. . ■ Continuing, Mr. Meredith said those licenses'were still in existence, and it was for that reason that the applications which had been formally lodged were being withdrawn. Situation Not Contemplated.. "Apparently a situation has arisen which was not contemplated," said Mr. Allum. "The board does not approach this matter in any xinfriendly spirit. It wishes to act in a way that will appear to the applicants fair and just." Mr. Meredith: We fully appreciate that, and thought the board had sent the circular in a spirit of kindness. Mr. Allum: Of course the board does not admit any licenses have been issued or are in existence. Mr. Meredith suggested tho board should recognise the, licenses. Mr. L. W. G. Grieves applied for a license to run to Ellerslie from Pitt Street, and said, in support, that he had established the service. , Mr. Allum: We shall have to move that the application be declined, because it is in competition with the board's services. At the suggestion of the chairman, the board deferred tho application for later consideration, to give the appli-. cant an opportunity of conferring with other private, bus owners. "If there is any advantage to be gained from united action, I should like yon to share in it," said' Mr. Allum, amid laughter. ' ■.. An'application was received /from Suburban Buses, Ltd.,- to run to Ellerslie races' from-the city; V<V "}■■■'■'' Direct Competition. At this point the question of direct competition. with the trams was referred to. by Mr. Meredith. He said private owners wished.only to share in: the traffic, and they disputed tho claim that the trams were adequate to carry all the people. Further, it was not right that the board should have a monopoly of holiday traffic. The profits that private owners could • make from race-day and other special traffic t assisted them in fixing a scale of fares, for. their ordinary services, which were favourable to the public throughout the year. The buses were undoubtedly conferring a public benefit, though there might be an inroad into the board's revenue. It was extremely difficult for a body engaged in transport to approach the problem in an absolutely friendly and sympathetic manner. Mr. Allum: I assure you that the fact of owning transport does not affect the board's judgment. General Manager's Opinion. Mr. A. E. Ford, general manager, opposed tho application of Suburban Buses,- Ltd., on the grounds that an adequate tram service could be run from

the. city to Ellerslie. The revenue collected from race traffic was much less llian before numerous bus services were run to Ellerslie. The trams, together with the railways were able to cater tor all the traffic. No objection could be raised to applications 'for licenses from the v™s suburban districts to Ellerelie, said.Mr.; AUiun, but it was now suggested by the owners that, in order to make their fleets pay, they must benefit from the extraordinary traffic which occurred iroin time to' time. The board's stock was not owned by the members, but by the public. It did not appear desirable that private owners should run services which the board could adequately provide. The application was declined. , Mr. E. H. Potter protested, and asked for information as to the number 'of cars taken off the . various services . to run to Ellerslie races. . Mr. AUum: The race specials are not run by the board to the detriment of the ordinary services. Mr. Ford explained that 50 per ceiit of the tramway rolling stock ■ was required for peak loading, and race loading was not coincident with peak loading. On race day? and public holidays about 8') cars were scheduled as specials, and on week-day race occasions 35. The usual services to the suburbs were maintained without alteration. Alexandra Park Traffic. Mr." F. S. Morton said congestion occurred at Alexandra Park and interfered with the ordinary Onehunga- service when trotting meetings were being held. Mr. Ford: The Department i? proud of the way it handles Alexandra Park traffic. A big crowd is handled in 20 minutes, and tlitfe is a minimum of interference with. the Onehunga service. Applications -which referred to Avondale were deferred for later consideration, and several applications by the board were granted.; . Applications from several owners for authority to establish bus services from the city to various suburbs were deferred for a month, in view of the proposed legislation. . .- , "Wo should wait until we have a better idea, of what will happen in Wellington," said' Mr. AUum. A suggestion by Mr. Potter that the applications should be immediately considered was over-ruled.