Transport Board “Hit Hard” By Wage Order

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31768, 27 August 1968, Page 7

Transport Board “Hit Hard” By Wage Order

The Christchurch Transport Board’s operating loss was $4699 for the month ended July 21. For the corresponding period last year the board had a surplus of $2526. The loss for the month was $632 more than estimated.

At the board’s monthly meeting yesterday, Mr H. E. Denton said he felt the loss was due to a combination of unfavourable weather and genera! economic conditions.

Mr P. D. Dunbar pointed out that as revenue from 20ride cards had decreased by $2555, it was obvious that about 500 workers had decided to use other forms of transport.

“The general wage order will mean an extra operating expense to the board of $25,629 for the current year and an additional expense of $41,648 a year,” said Mr E. J. Bradshaw, chairman of the board’s finance committee. “This will hit the board hard as there was no provision made in the estimates,

for such an Increase and It will be difficult to balance this year’s budget,” Mr Bradshaw said.

The board’s operating expenses for the month was $117,409, an increase of 2.6 per cent on the corresponding period last year. Passenger journeys decreased by 48,300 or 3.3 per cent, and mileage decreased by 563 miles or 0.2 per cent during the month. A tender of $40,644 for the erection of a servicing building in the Ferry Road depot was accepted. It was submitted by Messrs Atkinson and Forbes, Ltd. Work on the building has commenced. The general manager (Mr J. F. Fardell) reported that since pensioner concession cards had been introduced in May, 1964, the number of cards issued had risen steadily. In September, 1964, 2718 cards had been issued and at present 5142 cards were on issue.