CHRISTCHURCH TRAM SERVICE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17408, 20 March 1922, Page 10

CHRISTCHURCH TRAM SERVICE.

TO Tilt; L'DITOR OF "IHE I'RES3."

•Sir, —Recently we have been informed that the above service is not paying on present fares, and there is a probability of. a further increas-e. Kindly permit me to express a few views which may be worth considering. Tho Bcrvico has sulfered from, and is still feeling, the effects of the great war. and it is necessary to keep this main point before us when discussing tho subject. Tho la«t increaso of fares was exnected to make the service pay. Without going into figures, it has failed. and a further increase will also fail, because the number .of people who pay it wil' not compensate for those who find it cheaper to ride a bike or par a. little extra for shoe-leatb»-ICvery inducement possib'e should be offered" to the public to attract them. The present rates are not equitable. Twopeneo i 3 charged if one only ridca a quarter of a section, whereas two full sections can bo covered for the sarno money. Then, again, the rule that only one person rnav use a concession ticket on the same car is not at all popular where a family is concerned, or one wishes to treat a friend. Many fares are le>3t in this way. If one pays for a ticket in advance it should be "is property to dispose of as he wishes. Tho Tramway Board has his money, and when the ticket is used he buys another. The gain, it any, by denying this privilege, is infinitesimal, anu would not pay tho salary of the extra inspector needed. Tho farss, prior to the last adjustment, with chesp trips to the seaside nnd hills between the hours of, say, 10.30 ff.m. and 4.30 p.m., would b« ideal, end the cars would be well occupied, instead of nearly empty.; as_ at present, during this period. Further, the whole system woud benefit by the numbers who ivould travel on the other lines to take advantage of excursion ta With patience and a determined effort to get back to pre-war cost of running, there need be no anxiety about financial returns. . , Hoping this matter will bo further ventilated. —Yours, etc., _„~ Tr E. T. MULCOOK. 109 Hawko street, New Brighton.