NEW TRANSPORT BOARD BUSES

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26877, 1 November 1952, Page 6

NEW TRANSPORT BOARD BUSES

USE IN COUNTIES PROHIBITED

HEATHCOTE COUNCIL TO PROTEST

“What a Gilbertian situation; the buses can be run in Riccarton, but not in Cashmere,” said Cr. R. A. Young last evening when the Heathcote County Council learned that it had to withdraw its previously-granted permission to the Christchurch Transport Board to operate its new buses over county roads.

The Main Highways Board advised the council that the Transport Board’s new buses had a tyre pressure of 901 b a square inch, but regulations fixed a limit of 751 b a square inch on public passenger vehicles operated outside a borough with a population of 6000 or more.

“A vast sum has been spent, and the board has a modern fleet of buses.’’ said Cr. Young. “Permission was obtained from the Commissioner of Transport, and buses were built in England and are now in use. Now we are told that we must deny our ratepayers the service. We are being made to look stupid. The governing factors in road damage are speed weight, and the nature of the roadway.”

The County Clerk (Mr A. E. Amyes) said that in a county the Main Highways Board paid 75 per cent, of the cost of maintenance. Boroughs received 8 per cent, of the petrol tax with which to maintain their roads. ‘Perhaps the answer is to run the buses with the tyres three-quarter inflated. said Cr. Young. t The chairman (Mr F. W. Freeman): 1 think it s a case of putting the telescope to the blind eye. The buses are ru «”?ir ng we ’ re not stopping them. we should ask for- the regulations to oe amended or that we be given a special dispensation,’’ said Cr R. L. Huggins. Wa « P lace th e matter before the Minister of Transport (Mr w. S. Goosman).