RAIL AND MOTOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 84, 10 April 1933, Page 8

RAIL AND MOTOR.

TRANSPORT PLANS.

SERVICES TO THAMES.

RESTRICTION OF MOTORS,

In opposing an application by H. White and Sons, Ltd., for a renewal of its license to conduct a passenger bus service between Auckland and the Thames, before the Central Licensing Authority this morning, counsel for the Railway Department outlined plans for co-indinatitig the train and bus services. The : plans affect services at present' maintained by motor to Thames, Waihi and Paeroa, and Te Aroha.

The Department contended that the service of the applicant company between Thames and Auckland should terminate at Pokeno,' and that the motor service should not extend beyond that point.

On behalf of the company Mr. H. McKay said that it controlled', a large fleet of vehicles, part of which constituted the White Star system. The company had capital involved in a garage in Auckland which would be prejudiced by curtailing the service at Pokeno.

Evidence was given by the Commissioner of Thames Borough, Mr. C. L. Grange, and local residents that the present motor service was satisfactory and any curtailment would be detrimental. They considered a combined motor and train service would be inconvenient.

Mr. Alckiri,' counsel for the Railway Department; said the' latter was seeking to co-ordinate services where the road and rail ran parallel, which they did in this case as far as Pokeno. He outlined a proposed train service, which would link up .with the motors at Pokeno, and which he showed would only slightly lengthen the time occupied in travelling, provided the motor sartiiig times were adjusted.

I Waihi, Paeroa and Te Aroha. I Mr. G. T. Wilson, Auckland district railway traffic manager, sai dthat coordinated services were already in existence in the province and did not | occasion any inconvenience. ! In reply to Mr: McKay, he admitted that it was also intended to co-ordinate the Waihi-Paeroa motor services,, by making Pokeno its terminus, and the Te Aroha service similarly at. Ohinewai. In reference to the stopping of the 3 p.m. Auckland-Wellington express at Pokeno in connection with the coordinated services, he stated that it would not entail any delay i nthe train rcacihng Frankton. . (Proceeding.)