No Late Buses For City Film Patrons

Press, Volume C, Issue 29502, 2 May 1961, Page 3

No Late Buses For City Film Patrons

No special arrangements are to be made by the Christchurch Transport Board for bus services for patrons of picture theatres where programmes conclude after 10.55 p.m.

The general manager (Mr J. F. Fardell) told the board at its meeting yesterday that he had been approached by the management of the theatre which will screen "Ben Hur” about late bus services. The programme would start at 7.30 p.m. and finish at 11.15 p.m. "By the time the theatre is emptied and the patrons reach the buses, it would be 11.25 p.m.,” said Mr Fardell. “The theatre is a small one, and it is hard to predict how many persons would use the buses.”

The cost of providing the later service would be about £23 6s 3d a night, and probably very little of this would be recouped. "Another method might be not to provide a late service over all the routes, but only over selected ones—the bus going out by one route and serving another on its return. The fare would have to be doubled and even then I don’t think it would cover the cost,” said Mr Fardell, who asked for the board's direction.

"There can be no special favour over this one,” said Mr R. G. Brown. “Either we give a service to all our ratepayers or we leave the services ending at 10.55 p.m. Why can’t

the programme begin at 7 p.m.? We have talked here this afternoon about raising the fares, and yet we are considering giving privileges to what might amount to only 40 persons a night. And if I was one of 40 and a bus did not go on my route, I would squeal.” Mr Brown moved that the existing timetable be adhered to.

The board had had similar requests before, said Mr N. R. Forbes. “This is just the thin end of the wedge.” Mr J. Shankland said he felt the theatre managements were “not playing the game” with the board. “Several theatres are already concluding their programmes at 10,55 p.m. or later, and there is no reason why they can't make arrangements for earlier finishes.” “Exceptional Interest”

The film “Ben Hur” was of exceptional length and exceptional interest, said Mr E. J. Bradshaw. “I don’t think it is practicable to ask the management to commence at 7 p.m.—it is much too early. By starting at 7.30 p.m. the management has done its best to meet the situation. If we can do it and cover costs, then we should provide a service. If doubling the cost doesn’t do it, let's charge more."

Mr H. E. Denton: This film could run for three months.

The chairman (Mr J. Palmer): It ran six months in Auckland.'

The staff would be strongly opposed to any such move for a later service, said Mr Shankland. It was not too

early for bus drivers to get up at 4 a.m. to provide the first morning services, so it was not too early for a film programme to start at 7 p.m.

“Don’t let us be weakkneed about this.” said Mr Brown. “ 'My Fair Lady’ is coming—where is all this going to finish? It is a bad bet. We are talking of doubling or tripling the fare—what about if we have one person on the bus going to North Beach—what are you going to ’sting’ him?" The whole idea was “cockeyed,” said Mr Brown. “I warn you that you are putting your head in the rope.”

The board will advise the theatre management that no special arrangements will be made for a late service.