LOSSES ON TRANSPORT SYSTEMS IN CITIES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29682, 28 November 1961, Page 15

LOSSES ON TRANSPORT SYSTEMS IN CITIES

A comparison of financial results of Australian and New Zealand city transport undertakings for the year ending June 31, 1961, for Australian cities and for the j-ear ended March 31, 1961, for New Zealand cities, was tabled at the meeting of the Christchurch Transport Board yesterday. All the 12 cities’ transport systems were shown operating at a loss. ‘Our undertaking is not the only organisation in public transport being assisted by subsidies or rates,” commented the chairman of the finance committee (Mr W. S. Mac Gibbon) in presenting the report. Mr G. D. Hattaway: Is there nobody in the public transport business not making of loss?

The chairman (Mr E. J. Bradshaw): We do offer the lowest fare structure. The report showed the following losses during 19601961 and the budget estimated losses for 1961-62: Adelaide, £206,911 and £191.640. Auckland, £ 53,599 and £141,950. Brisbane, £ 596,067 and £478,170. Christchurch, £158,513 and £ 188,819. Dunedin, £ 83,030 and £81.125. Hobart, £212,741 and £263,890. Launceston, £ 75,802 and £92330. Perth, £477,000 and £456,000. Burnie, £5389 and £5790. Sydney and Newcastle, £2.936,440 and £3,050,000. Wellington, £ 130,951 and £141,739. Mr A. J, Woodward and some other members commented that the citizens of Christchurch were “paying for their grandfathers’ fares” inasmuch as the Tramway Board had borrowed in order to avoid raising fares. Mir Bradshaw said antecedent liabilities amounted to £26,000 in the board’s accounts this year.