Crowded Buses

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29745, 12 February 1962, Page 7

Crowded Buses

Sir.—Many of your readers will be amazed to read the reply of, the general manager of the Christchurch Transport Board, to your correspondent “IST.” about crowded buses. Your correspondent referred to standing passengers—a point conveniently evaded by Mr Fardell. He then implies that peakloading here is comparable with conditions existing overseas. He must be aware that in the United Kingdom the maximum number of standing passenger allowed by law on a two-man operated bus is five, rigidly enforced, and then only at peak hours. On one-man buses standing passengers are not permitted in any circumstances. The issue ns no one of economics but public safety and the solution is more strategic use of buses, plus organised planning. I am sure many thinking people share the very real concern

of your correspondent that this dangerous practice is permitted in a country reputed to lead the world in so many ways; but evidently it will take nothing less than the disaster so dreaded by your correspondent to effect an improvement.—Yours, etc., THE DOC.

January 30, 1962. (The general manager of the Christchurch Transport Board (Mr J. F. Fardell) said: "The Transport Department's regulations in New Zealand permit buses to be licensed to carry standing passengers to the extent of 50 per cent, of the seating capacity of the vehicle. At the late afternoon peak the standing loads are, in the main, de-bussed by the end of the first section.”]