LYTTELTON SERVICE

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30759, 25 May 1965, Page 1

LYTTELTON SERVICE

Fare Up 2d To

Is 9d

The bus fare from Christchurch to Lyttelton would be increased by 2d—from Is 7d to Is 9d—the Christchurch Transport Board decided yesterday. Mr E. J. Bradshaw, chairman of the finance committee, told the board that the Road Tunnel Authority had been asked to halve the toll charge on buses using the tunnel, but the authority wanted written submissions. If the authority agreed to a reduced charge, the amendment would have to be approved by the Minister of Finance (Mr Lake), and could not take effect before June next year. Mr Bradshaw said Lyttelton operations in the last financial year showed a deficit of £1551. The board felt that the 6s toll charge on each trip through the tunnel was high, and that consideration could be given to a reduction in the public interest, because it was wrong in principle that the Lyttelton service should be run at a loss when Lyttelton was outside the board’s rating area. The board decided to increase the price of trip cards by Is 3d and 20-ride cards by 2s. No increase would be made to the fare within Lyttelton borough. Mr J. R. Smith, the board’s chairman, said he did not expect any great outcry from passengers. The fare was still cheap, and it remained to be seen if there would be any drop in patronage.