REGULATING TAXICABS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21147, 24 April 1934, Page 9

REGULATING TAXICABS

FARES AND HOURS OF WORK

POSSIBLE ACTION BY CITY COUNCIL

Regulations governing the running of taxi-cabs in Christchurch have been prepared and are at present being considered by the by-laws committee of the City Council. These propose Is are being considered under the wider powers for licensing and controlling taxis conferred by the amendment to the Municipal Corporations Act, passed last session. The regulations that may be made under the provisions of this act may tix minimum as well as maximum taxi tares, limit the number of cabs that may be operated, set aside stands lor ihe use ox cabs, an.i regulate the hours ot work of drivers. Auckland Action The same problems are under the consideration of the Auckland City Council. The chief traffic inspector, Mr G. R. Hogan, recently reported to the legal and by-laws committee in Auckland that in 1930 the cabs licensed by the council numbered 358, but for the current year the number had decreased to 268. He considered this number was sufficient for present requirements and recommended that the number for the ensuing year be fixed at 270. The company representatives had agreed to this limitation for the period commencing June 1, 1934, this being approximately one cab for each 800 persons in the urban area, the number to be reconsidered as population increased or other factors had to be taken under review. It was agreed that all taxi-cab stands in the city area should be open stands. Details of Fares The chief traffic inspector recommended a minimum fare charge of 9d for the first half-mile fone or _ two passengers) and fid for each add tional half-mile; for each additional _passenger ovr two for the whole journey, As a maximum fare charge he suggested Is for the first half-mile fone or two passengers) and fid for each additional half-mile; for each additional passenger over two for the whole journey, fid. The representatives of the companies favoured n uniform fare, which would be both minimum and maximum, that would show on the taxi meter as the precise fare to be paid. On this basis, a motion that the council should be asked to fix such a fare at Is on the fall of the taxi meter flag and fid for each additional halfmile after the first mile (this to apply to one to four passengers) was carried at the last meeting. Hours of Work It had been suggested that the drivers who operated on a commission basis should have their working hours fixed at eight a day. There was also a suggestion that no driver should work more than ten consecutive hours in 24. Neither of these proposals was adopted, and the council was requested to take no action in limiting the notirs of work. The report of these proceedings was presented by the committee for the information of the council, with the request that it should be referred back Tor further consideration so that recommendations could be made. The council resolved accordingly. The fares now charged by the taxi companies for up to four passengers are Is for the first mile, is Cd for two miles, 2s for three miles, and 2s Cd for four and five miles, journeys of over five miles incurring an additional charge of Cd a mile within the city boundary and 6d a half-mile beyond the boundary. Christchurch taxis, at March 31, 1933, totalled 173.