COURTESY ON TRAMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 286, 2 December 1936, Page 6

COURTESY ON TRAMS.

I have been using the trams daily for over five years in my journeys to different suburbs on business, and j am not impressed with Auckland tram conductors and their attitude toward passengers who do uot tender correct fares. Travelling one section recently I tendered one shilling, and was told by the conductor in a discourteous manner that those who travel beyond one section always have coirect fares, while one-section travellers like myself never have. As stated, I travel on all sections, and endeavour to have the correct faro whenever possible. Where call one get small change always? Shops cannot always oblige. I think it,-is the duty of the Transport Board to establish depots where one may change money so that the correct fare may be given. This 'is a serious matter, as I have had dozens' of opportunities to observe the attitude of conductors towards Another thing one cannot help but notice is the attitude adopted by conductors towards women with young children, who "have folding pushchairs. Often the conductors- bang the chairs on the back of the tram, and invariably discuss in a loud voice with someone at the back of the tram, "These women with prams!" This "backdoor" method is used daily. The Auckland tramways leave much to be desired, and nowhere in my travels have I found such an army of inspectors as we have on Auckland trams. I am compelled to show my ticket two and sometimes three times daily. I don't think Aucklanders have a reputation for dishonesty, and surely an occasional inspection is all that is necessary. No wonder people prefer to travel in buses run by, private companies. T, # for one, will in future use the buses whenever I can. I know I will have a comfortable leather seat, my money will be thankfully received, and luggage carried willingly. SERVICE.

[When the foregoing was referred to the general manager of the Auckland Transport Board, Mr. A. E. Ford, he said that there had' always been a continuous endeavour to render full.'and. above all, courteous, service to the 1 ' public. He bad received on numerous ocea- ' sions letters, telephone messages and personal communications, all in commendation of the uniform couivtesy extended to passengers hy the traffic staff. The person who had written the letter of complaint must have been unfortunate. "I expect the traffic staff to be courteous under all conditions," he said. "Sometimes they have to go through most trying ordeals in carrying out their duties. The majority of the 132,000 passengers who travel each day on the Auckland tramway system acknowledge this, and usually endeavour to help. Others, of course, adopt a different attitude. That is their misfortune. As far as change is concerned, all conductors carry what is considered a sufficient amount, but sometimes they run short. The world over notices can be observed in trams, buses and other passenger conveyances with the following wording: 'Passengers arc requested to tender the correct fare.' If travellers on the trains observe this rule as far as possible little trouble will be experienced."—Ed.]