BUSES AND TRAMS

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18208, 20 October 1924, Page 15

BUSES AND TRAMS

COMPETITION IX AUCKLAND. jgiM EXTENSIONS REVIEWED. TI' MT - AUCKLAND, October IS. jf o r flr .'Lu3 competition with the J L.r crvice has become so intense f r2.2fl ~ 4nckW that it even threatens to U *-t the projected extension of the •J* tramway tracks on the Mount Lcn and Dominion roads. Thi3 aspect { coomercia! motor transport derelop- ° t was the subject of Departmental "torts to the Auckland City Council It evening, and also formed the basis fa preliminary disc-.usaion on the <i#lariag inequalities of 'bus competi- .' »» an j ita possible effect t>n ninsiLi rToliev iu relation to tramways, ffinatter was deemed to be of such •aoortanee as to require a whole evenfor thorough consideration. Tffd memoranda on the question were bmitted to the Council by the mana0f the Tramways Dejjartment. One t these aid not refer specifically to "'ntcr-tms competition, but was looked agon as being due to it in effect. This memorandum concerned the deed of delegation relating to the Mount Eden tramway extension, and noted that the -eed had heeu altered to place the reJ" Ability for the maintenance of the wkg again t he Tramways Dertroeiil. The manager stated that he Miild not recommend the Ceuucil to leeept this responsibility. Reporting on the proposed tramway extensions along the Mount Eden and Dominion roads, the manager stated tlat tenders for the rails and fishplates lad already been invited, and if these wjrkfr—estimated to cost £23,000 in tie case of Mornit Eden, and £ 25,000 in the ease of Dominion road—were to) be proeeeded with in conformity with the derision of the Couneil of April last it *onld be necessary to call tenders at eace for the overhead material required. . Manager's B ©commendation. "When consideration was given to tie advisability and justification of tiwe extensions," continued the manager, "the estimate of receipts was based gi the Council obtaining all the availlijle revenue from passenger traffic. Awe extensions, if constructed, wil! filly conform to the latest modern practiee, and will be operated by bucli a sernet of cars as will more than leasonlily meet the demands of the traffic, tuning as they do into districts still to 1« developed. - In view of the large tjpital and maintenance cost involved, ltd our ability economically to carry a pester number of passengers than will rfer qafely and comfortably on a frepWt and reliable time-table, it is liggttary that; we should obtain all the cMfenne offering, and any other conditio will-be wasteful and extravagant, faring in mind that it is a public serpce rnn in the public interest to givo a jryiee at cost. Omnibus competition jnow intense, and in many cases their atire route is parallel to the tramways, it there are no regulations sueh np exist elitwhere for co-ordinating and control- ■ liag omnibus competition with the tramways, where it ean be shown to be wasteful and unnecessary, I reeommdnd that farther consideration be given to the advisability of the construction of these proposed extensions. Ia giving consideration to this matter, it is to be borne m mind that at preapnt no other form o! transportation is available that ean supersede electric tramways on essentia merits for the massed transportation of jaasengers where a frequent ftriet is necessary. The anticipated apid development of the districts conteed in these extensions will demand (frequent service without transferring ism oae elass of vehicle to another.'' 'Th# Tramways Committee in a note Jttsthed to the report stated that it esdotted the manager's recommendation sad wferred it to the Council for eon(ideration. TSere was some discussion whether thtf w tenders received for the supply otwterial should bo opened, but after jft'Htayor had ruled that postponement Witld involve the return of the tenders totKe tenderers and the arrangement W another date for consideration, it Wl.ileeided. to open the tenders. \lLwas decided to refer the tramway ■ttager's memoranda to the Council is tonuaittee as a whole, and to devote ifdl evening, probably next week, for wssideration of poliey. The tenders foitia supply of material were also refined to that speeial meeting.