RUSH TRAFFIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 205, 29 August 1940, Page 9

RUSH TRAFFIC.

STAGGERING HOURS.

CONFERENCE IN CITY.

Appreciation of the response of various sections of the community to the Auckland Transport Board's appeal for co-operation in the staggering of hours to reduce the burden of rush hour traffic on the trams was expressed by the chairman of the board, Mr. W. H. Nagle, at a conference at the Town Hall today. Assurances of further support were given by various interests represented. "The transport board has been greatly assisted by the response so far," said Air. Nagle. "The prompt action of the public service "ommissioner in varying hours in the civil service, to close departmental offices at 4.30, immediately relieved the 5 o'clock peak loading, and the action of the Seddon Memorial Technical College authorities in starting a quarter of an hour later in the morning has also been a valuable help. We are not asking for big things, but we are seeking some assistance, as far as possible, from each section." Illustrating the need of dealing with traffic congestion as it developed, Mr. Nagle stated that in Birmingham over 80 per cent of the municipal transport fleet was idle except during rush hours. A recent return had shown that 15C5 vehicles were used to accommodate the peak loads and only 290 during the remainder of the day. Under war conditions the Birmingham corporation was involved in a problem of manpower. Already 700 women had been engaged to take the places of men on the trams and buses, and the number would shortly be increased to 1000.

"If New Zealand became actively engaged in any form of defence that is the kind of problem with which we would be called upon to deal," he added. "It is very essential to-day that there should be a flattening out of the traffic peaks to bring about a conservation of our transport." Factories and Bus Operators. Difficulties in the way of altering factory hours to reduce peak loading were mentioned by Mr. F. N. Ambler, of the Manufacturers' Association, who said that" if the times of starting and finishing work were changed problems would immediately arise in the homes of many workers, where meal times were often governed by the conditions of work of a number of members of the family. Starting time* in the factories were normally fairly early.

Expressing the attitude of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Mr. N. B. Spencer, president, said that as an organisation it was composed of members of several bodies, including the. manufacturers and employers' associations and other groups. The members had no common community of interest. The problems to which staggering gave rise for suburban bus operators were referred to by Mr. Spencer, who said that every vehicle was In use during the evening rush hours. A little staggering of hours created new problems for all companies operating over fairly long routes. What wae required was some system which would enable buses to make an additional complete trip and so take two loads instead of only one as at present. Pleasure traffic was mentioned by Mr. Nagle, who said the position would be definitely relieved if afternoon sessions at the picture theatres were all timed to end not later than 4.15. ft was hoped that this would be achieved. Railways And Post Office. The desire of the Railway Department and the Post and Telegraph Department to assist wherever practicable, was expressed by officers of those Departments, and various obstacles in the way were pointed out. Mr. R. G. May, Chief Postmaster, said the post office was compelled to give a 24-hour service, and the clerical section, which was released at 5 o'clock, was only a small part of the total staff. The mail room was largely governed by the need of clearing the big rush of correspondence which came in "around a o'clock. However, an effort would ge made to release as many employees as possible at 4.30 during the summer monthe, with a possible extension into-next winter. Mr. Nagle stated that replies from a number of educational authorities had indicated their desire to co-operate. "The petrol restrictions have to some extent intensified our problems," he declared. "And other problems might be met with when the restrictions are relaxed. The restrictions have certainly thrown .a Jieavy extra burden on the transport organisation. sAt the same time the revenue position to-day is such that it is a feverish struggle to keep the transport services of the city on an even keel, and avoid placing a burden on the shoulders of the ratepayers. One vital need is greater elasticity in award conditions." The conference concluded with a statement by the chairman that the board would continue to pursue the question of staggering of traffic by direct -negotiation with the various interests concerned. '