TRAM AND RAIL CONCESSIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 31, 7 February 1939, Page 6

TRAM AND RAIL CONCESSIONS.

"Fares, Please" has raised the question of allowing tramway employees free tram travel tickets. In this connection, what about railway- employees and train tra\el concessions! It cannot be generally known that railway servants and their families travel on our entire railway system at (I believe my figures are correct) quarter-fares, and on their annual leave completely free. There are several thousands of railway employees, which number must be multiplied by at least three to cover family Xo doubt when wages were low and hours long such "perks" were not considered other than justified. Now. with railwaymen's hours at 40 per week, good pay and very cheap house rent, there would appear no justifiable reason, except a political one, j for the retention of this cheap and free service, j Traiii fares and freights have just been ; increased 10 per cent to try and cover railway | losses. This means a still greater concession to the huge railway staff. We believe even : school teachers, for some obscure reason, ! obtain some rail concession, not available to less favoured sections of the community. We are certain members of the P. and T. staff do not get stamps free or for one-quarter their value. Should not Reserve Bank clerks presented with "buckshee"' notes before leaving for their annual holidays, and. of course, the same for wives and children? The positiou is an absurd one and the extra cost or loss of revenue to the railways when the 40-hour .week came in is easy to assess. At least 15 I per cent more staff was to get concessions, t which meant this number less available | amongst our small travelling population to 'pay the standard fee. 1 FULL FARES, PLEASE.