HIGHER TRAM FARES?

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22339, 1 March 1938, Page 9

HIGHER TRAM FARES?

INCREASED RATES MAY BE LEVIED

BOARD CHAIRMAN ON NEW REGULATIONS

“Either an increase in the fares or the rates is inevitable in Christchurch if the tramways regulations, as framed, are adopted.” This statement was made by Mr E. Parlane, chairman of the Tramway Board, yesterday, when commenting on the draft regulations recently circulated. The Christchurch board, as a whole, has not yet discussed the' regulations and Mr Parlane emphasised that he was expressing his personal view. Mr Parlane expressed concern over the proposed new rules governing the operation of one-man trams. One regulation, he said, proposed that the opening of back doors of the one-man trams should not be permitted. If it were adopted, the trams would be unable to run to anywhere near the present timetables, and if the services were to be retained, a heavy increase in costs would have to be met. “The fact remains that there have been fewer accidents since the oneman trams were introduced,” he replied, in answer to a suggestion that the non-opening of rear doors might have been proposed as a safety measure. “It will be interesting to see whether the buses will also come under the proposed regulation.” The representations of the board and of the Tramway Workers’ Union bn the drafted regulations will be made to-day to the Minister for Transport (the Hon. R. Semple), who has been informed that the board is not agreeable to some of the proposal*.