OUR TRAMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 257, 30 October 1929, Page 6

OUR TRAMS.

Tram travellers are astonished at the new scale of charges suggested, and it seems they should be the subject of an inquiry by an independent accountant; firstly, the financial conditions of the whole undertaking, and, secondly, the services given by this system,: which is now, rightly or wrongly, without competition. The Transport Board and the management, as now constituted, are unpopular with the public and the rank and file of its employees, truly a serious state of affairs. The trams and buses at the moment are said to be losing money, in spite of the fact that from time to time extra charges have been : made for the same services, which are now, after all that has been spent, no better than they were years ago, when fares were very, much cheaper. Discomfort and overcrowding are now the general rule, and the services are slower right through the system. We might ask where is the money going; is it that the Transport Board is overweighted with a staff of officials drawing big salaries and eating up a large proportion of its income? I contend that if the new scale of charges becomes law there will not be the gain of income that is expected from the increase. Riding will be reduced to a minimum; in.some districts, such as Mount Albert, the cheaper early trains will be more used. I am going to suggest for consideration: (1) Section cards to be sold on the cars or buses, providing correct money be tendered, as in some American cities, thereby cutting out commission to agents' forselling. (2). The pruning knife be applied "to the number and also the salaries of those getting over £300 a year. V. C. GODDAKD.

Among others, I would like to protest against the proposed raising of fares. We ordinary folk are tired of this see-saw business. Now that the Transport Board runs the trams for the people it should pay at least as well as the old Tramway Company. We should have a public announcement of the cost of administration. OTHERS SHOULD ACT.