FREE BUS RIDES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 65, 18 March 1930, Page 9

FREE BUS RIDES.

TRANSPORT BOARD TROUBLED NEW PROBLEM ARISES. SPECIAL ROUTES PROPOSED. Serious embarrassment is being caused to the Transport Board by the operation of free bus . services within its area. In view of the position the board intends, if possible, to define the limits within which free riding may be permitted, and if it fails in that it will approach Parlia- \ njent. A report of the board*'s solicitors stated that the question of free omnibus services could be dealt with only by ' special legislation. The problem wad 'not a simple one, and raised the right of individuals to give free rides in vehicles owned or controlled by them to their friends or customers. No country had yet attempted to grapple seriously with the problem, although the question of doing so was discussed by the Government of Victoria a short time , ago. j Mr. E. H. Potter said if any business [ could afford to run a bus service withl out charge there was no power to pre- [ vent it doing so, and the board could not interfere. Mr. A. J. Entrican expressed surprise that the board could not interfere to check the operations of people who were practically ruining its business. The competition of free services was becoming one of the greatest problems the board had to face. He suggested approaching the Minister of Transport to ascertain whether ar.'Khiug could be done. The first action the board should take was in- the direction of defining the routes over which "free buses should be allowed to travel. The solicitors' report was referred to the committee of the whole board for consideration.