MANNERS IN THE TRAMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 20, 25 January 1939, Page 10

MANNERS IN THE TRAMS.

I agree with your correspondent that there is great room for improvement in the conduct " ; of tramway employees. It is very annoying - to be -carried past one's destination, but if he" had been longer resident in Auckland he would know it is quite hopeless to depend on -• the conductor. I see no reason why the conductors (or drivers) should not call out the names, not only of the section stops, but also the more important stops between. On dark, • wet nights it is difficult even for Auckland residents to be certain of their stop. People who adopt the namby-pamby attitude of your , other correspondent do a lot of harm. Why should he write grateful letters to the Trans- -, port Board because he is treated' civilly by its employees? We expect, and we receive, ordinary business civility from shop employees. We expect civility from tram employees, but. we do not get.it. Tram conductors, if they „.' are tendered two shillings or half-a-erown for a small fare, behave like fractious, children. I saw one conductor' actually peer into >a» passenger's purse and tell her she had some small change! She very rightly told him J not to look into her purse. Judging by the fuss he made, it might have been a £5 note he was tendered. Instead of 6aying, "Gang-, way, please," and giving standing passengers =-,- ■ a chance to get out of their way when coli lecting faTes, the conductors push and jostle ... • passengers in an unseemly fashion.. A passenger alighting from a tram told the driver he had failed to pull up at the previous stop, -- although she had rung the bell. He gave. : an impertinent answer, and some tramway' employees standing on the platform going on .... duty made offensive remarks. Tramway .... employees when 'being conveyed to and from . duty should be instructed not to speak to. passengers. Now I want to mention another important matter. Tramway employees have./ been praised by. unthinking people ' because ' they escort blind people: from the'tram to tfie :l i footpath. This is hot part of their duty, and "'• they should hot do it. Twice I have seen the conductor have a narrow escape from being run over when rushing back to rejoin his tram.' Blind and semi-blind people should not go about our dangerous roads unescorted. They * are a danger to themselves and others when . unescorted and should always be accompanied by a guide.' ' ATJCKLANDER.