BUS SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 283, 29 November 1937, Page 8

BUS SERVICE.

ST. HELIER'S RUN.

TRANSPORT CHANGE.

BOARD TO TAKE OVER.

INFLUENCE OF RAILWAY

Tho Auckland Transport Board it* . /ommittce. today piii-srd a n solution recommending that the board purchase the transport business between Aiwkand and St. Hetier's Bay conducted by Messrs. L. -T. Keys. Limit.d, and that a committee, comprising Mwm, H. A. Vnderson, W. H. Nagle and the ehair■niiti, lih »rt n|i. Subsequently the re?<>Ution wit adopted by the board in open mooting. When the motion of adoption was put \y tin- chairman, the H>>n. H. <i. K. Mason, an amendment that the matter !>c referred back for further eonsideration was moved by Mr. H. A. Anderson, who stated tliat the major consideration, to his ttiinrl, vran whether the 'toard could give a better service than rhe present one. Nothing he con Id see ntitlcd anyone to assume that it could, iMi tlw contrary, he felt that taking iver the service would Involve the board 11 a heavy responsibility, and possibly a Ini'iM'lal loss.

He felt that the proper method was for the board to protect the users of the service, if necessary, by imposing conditions to that end on the licensee. To disturb conditions when the service was satisfactory to the people was, he felt, wrong. A suggestion which the board had been confronted with, that there was a possibility of the Railway Department operating a service, should not be allowed to affect the board in its decision. It was obvious that the Railway Department would have to cater for the people in the railway area, but there wera only a limited number. The majority of the persons concerned were beyond that area.

I feel that the people of Auckland have always evinced a desire to own and operate their own transport, and consequently I favour negotiations being entered into wjth Messrs. L. J. Keys for «* • t SS I "L "** ** **• «**»*se t n •tated Mr. W. H., Nagle, who seconded the amendment pro forma, to enable the question to be discussed. The ratepayers would have an opportunity of expressing their views on the subject, be added. He did not feel, personally, that the service would Involve the board in a financial loss, provided the present rates and service were maintained. If ever there was a cast for public ownership, this was one.

Incidentally, Mr. Nsgle remarked that the Auckland public had paid for a road which was unique in New Zealand, and which had made the service possible. He was satisfied that the owners of the service were assured of a square deal from the board.

later the Railway Department.

Mr. J. Sayegh stated that if the board did not take over the service it would be taken over by the Railway Department That had been established beyond contradiction. His view was that if the service were not to be allowed to be run as a privately-owned concern, then the board should take It over ami run it in co-ordination with the railway service.

A Cast fsi Trelley Btm.

Mr. E. .?. Phelan emphasised the point that If the board did not take over the service it would be taken over by the Railway Department and no license would be granted except by permission of the Railway Department. The population in the area concerned was rapidly increasing, and the residential growth of Auckland In the near future would be In the direction of Point England. It would, therefore, he necessary to extend the service, and he waa of opinion that It was an ideal district for trolley 'buses. Of the money required for the present bus services, twelve shilling in\ every pound expended went overseas. Trolley buses could be operated without such expenditure of foreign money. Ho felt that by taking over this service the board waa proceeding on right lines to cater for what would become a thickly populated area, and be could not see why the board should not operate the services aa well as any individual. In fact, the board should be able to give even a better service than an individual.

The chairman pointed out that it was not intended that the service should be profit-making, but what are now individual profits would go into payment of interest on the capital involved.

The amendment was lost on the voice, being supported by only the mover, and the motion put by the chairman, adopting the recommendation to enter into negotiations for purchase of the service, was carried.