PICKING UP TRAM PASSENGERS

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24798, 12 February 1946, Page 4

PICKING UP TRAM PASSENGERS

MOTORISTS’ PRACTICE - EFFECT ON REVENUE OF BOARD Reference to the way in which motorists picked up passengers on tram routes and deprived the Christchurch Tramway Board of revenue was made by the chairman (Mr H. Kitson) at the board’s meeting yesterday. He was commenting on the deficiency of £4932 in the revenue account for the four weeks ended on January 6. The account showed that earnings during the period were £27,861, which was £1450 less than the amount for the same period last year. Operating expenses increased by £3270 to £23,261, and mileage decreased by 1105 miles to 305.448 miles. There was a decline of 79,485 in the number of cash fares, the total being 1,526,519 this year, and a decline in the number of trip cards of 60,232. the total this year being 544,322. ' Mr Kitson said the decline in passenger traffic was very largely due to poor weather in December, and the fact that there were more motor-cars on the roads. It was still a common practice for motorists to pick up passengers all along the tram routes. If motorists did this they should realise they were depriving themselves of a certain amount of revenue, which would help to produce the necessity for rating the community to meet the deficiency. ‘Tt is very serious indeed, and goes on on practically every route.” added Mr Kitson. “I don’t see any chance of rectifying it. but if motorists indulge in picking up passengers thev will have to meet it by paying rates.”