CASHMERE BUSES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30269, 23 October 1963, Page 7

CASHMERE BUSES

No Deviations From Route

Not only should the Owhmere bus be diverted at Strickland street to serve a small area to the west of Colombo street, but it should take in a similar area to the east as well, Mr H. E. Denton said at a meeting of the Christchurch Transport Board.

“That's utterly stupid," replied Mr G. D. Haittaway. “It’s beyond my comprehension that a man of Mr Denton’s experience should propose a thing like this.” Mr Denton: Your economics and mine are different. Mr Hattaway: That’s right. Mr Denton: Thank goodness.

Mr Haittaway: I'll say. You’d drive this show into bankruptcy before very long. I oppose this proposal with all the strength in my possession. Mr E. J. Bradshaw said that for a board with the unsavoury job of rating the whole metropolitan area and having to raise its fares from time to time to pay its way, it would be very improper to attempt to make a deviation to a route to comply with the wishes of a few passengers. There were dozens or perhaps hundreds of other places where similar deviations could be requested. Mr Denton said the extra cost to the board would be “chicken-feed,” and members were opposing it just because it was a “hidebound, established principle.” Mr Denton's proposal for a three months’ trial of the double diversion was lost, and the board decided to keep to the present route running straight up Colombo street.