TRAMWAY SERVICE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 135, 10 June 1942, Page 4

TRAMWAY SERVICE

Co-operation that would help us to iron out many petty difficulties in the tramway service and would eventually lead to a service of which we could all be proud is needed. Those responsible for recent letters and comments should refrain from uttering things which, obviously, they know nothing about. An instance, is the gentleman with the two ladies, who said, when my" motorman had to apply the emergency brake to avoid a jay walker and jolted the poor soul, "the sooner we have lady conductors the better," and when I remonstrated with him he took my number and said, "I'm going to report you"—favourite words of some people. "Observer" mentioned in his letter the conductor being jammed in the crowd. Does he know the only crowds are the two ends and platform. It is only one car in ten where the centre is full, and then only after the conductor having expended his patience saying, "please," says something sarcastic. In my previous letter a lot of people seem to think trams have all day to wait for them. I say, "Hurry on," and remember the motorman is keeping his eagle eye on you in the rear vision mirror, which is there for that purpose. Also as soon as you get on don't get tired all of a sudden—move right down the car; remember there are other people to get on after you. One other point, some people are under the impression that it is part of a conductor's duties to fold and lift push-chairs on the car. Well it is not, although we all endeavour to be helpful. It would expedite matters if the ladies would have them folded. TRAMWAYMAN.

Sometimes the tram conductors have difficulty in getting from one end of the car to the other when collecting fares. Could not a scheme be devised where he could remain at the rear of the tram all the time when the tram is travelling. Then he would have a good view of everything and be able to assist people on and off the tram, if required. I am informed that several years ago a small town in France abolished fares and substituted a tram tax instead; everyone had to pay the tax whether they used the trams or not Tne scheme was a success. As we are taxed to pay for our roads, footpaths, parks, etc., why not add the trams to the list? The country people using the trams would be spending money among our shopkeepers in travelling about. IGNORAMUS.