TRANSPORT COSTS IN AUCKLAND

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28823, 18 February 1959, Page 18

TRANSPORT COSTS IN AUCKLAND

Suggested Levy On Citizens

(Neu Zeaiana Press association* AUCKLAND, February 17. All citizens in the Auckland metropolitan area should pay a levy to meet the deficit of the Auckland Transport Board. Thia recommendation was made to a committee of inquiry today by the secretary of the Auckland branch of the Tramways and Public Passenger Transport Union (Mr E. A. Whitlow).

The committee was set up by the Minister of Transport (Mr Mathison) to examine and report on the problems arising from the change-over from trams to buses. The committee comprises Mr A. E. Forsyth, Assistant-Commis-sioner of Transport (chairman), Mr C. R. Gribble, general manager of the Auckland Transport Board, and Mr P. A. Hansen, national secretary of the Tramways and Public Passenger Transport Authorities Employees’ Union. The union recommended that as a safety measure the number of standing passengers in a bus should be limited to 10, conductors be carried. 1 The Auckland Transport Board estimated that the union proposal would cost about £270,000 a year, and Mr Gribble asked Mr Whitlow if he could suggest how this cost could be met. “Do you think the extra cost should be met as a levy on rates, or by higher fares?” he asked. ‘ The deficit of the board, Mr Whitlow replied, could be met at a very minor cost to individuals, if not only ratepayers but all citizens in the Auckland metropolitan area were to pay a levy. It had been estimated, he said, that the deficit could be met if every householder paid Is a Week extra on his power board account every six weeks.