TRIAL BUS SERVICE FOR NORTH BEACH

Press, Volume C, Issue 29526, 30 May 1961, Page 15

TRIAL BUS SERVICE FOR NORTH BEACH

A service to North New Brighton bj- rerouting 11 of the present North Beach trips was approved by the works and traffic committee of the Christchurch Transport Board yesterday, after the board had rescinded a decision made a week ago not to provide the service.

The new service will run via Marine parade. Beach road and Bower avenue on 11 trips which now operate from Pacific street. The North New Brighton Residents' Association, which had proposed the change, would greatly appreciate a reversal of last week's decision. said Mr R. H. Stillwell, who moved the rescission. The service could then be extended to cover the four corners of the square formed by the North Beach area. He had been assured that 'here would be no complaint about the reduction of the Bowhill road service from 61 trios to 50. Mr Stillwell said.

There had been complaints at the previous meeting about dead running, but did Hagley Park stop the Riccarton bus service or the causeway the Sumner service? he asked North' Beach was the only Christchurch beach that was not served by a bus.

Mr E. J Bradshaw, the member for Riccarton. had not attended the residents' protest meeting, nor had he been on the inspection tour of the area, but he had been the foremost in opposing the service. Mr Stillwell said. “No Extra Cost”

“People have been trying for 40 years to get the extension.” he continued. “We have the assurance of our general manager that it would cost no more and of our traffic manager that we could rearrange the time tables to suit.''

The general manager (Mr J F Fardel!) said he had reported that it would cost no more provided the frequencies at the North Beach service were widened. “lfi»e board is elected to provide a service for the citizens in the whole of its rating area, and the people of North Beach felt the service there does not meet their requirements.” Mr J. Shankland jun.. said.

There could be no harm in having a trial period. If the peoole served by Bowhill road found they were being affected too greatly, it would be open to them to make representations to the board for revocation of the service or to their own residents’ organisation. North New Brighton had extended considerably to the

north and north-east, Mr Shankland said. When the North Beach service was provided, the centre of the area was w-here the present service ran. but the centre had changed. When he said that even a three-month trial would be valuable. Mr R. G. Brown said, that would cover the winter only and would not be a fair trial. If the people of the area were prepared to guarantee that they would not be applying for further extensions or for a late picture bus. he was prepared to change his views and agree to a trial, said Mr N. K Forbes. “We have seen two examp'es of the irresponsible rantings we have come to exnect from Mr Stillwell.” Mr Bradshaw. “First he attacked the board, and then me as an individual.” Main Responsibility

While he represented the Fendolton - Riccarton - Paparua district on the board, his main responsibility was to see that the board's affairs were conducted in the interests of the ratepayers of the whole of rhe board's district, Mr Bradshaw said. He had not attended the protest meeting. He could not recall the exact reason, but he was probably engaged at another meeting. He had been away when the last inspection was mode, but had attended every other inspection of the area by the present and some previous boards.

“My opinion was that extension of the service was undesirable.” he added. "1 am still of that opinion." Mr Stillwell's notice of motion was then carried, and the board, meeting as the works and traffic committee, considered the proposal of Mr Shanklasnd that the service be provided for a trial oeriod of six months. "Opposition” “I am still of the opinion that it will not be a success because of the lack of population around the area,” said Mr A J. Woodward. “I am told there is a considerable body of opinion, although it is not so vocal, that is opposed to robbing one part of the area to serve another." The previous discussion had been given wide publicity. but there had been no letters to the newspapers or to the board against the proposition, said Mr H. E. Denton.

"I can see this service improving our turnover.” he continued. “We have a beautiful little beach there 'fiat is isolated at present.”