TAXI SERVICES CURTAILED

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32322, 13 June 1970, Page 12

TAXI SERVICES CURTAILED

Taxi services in Christchurch should be able to keep running today, although possibly only for emergency calls, and some organisations for which special trips are run by taxis have been told that there may be difficulty in meeting obligations.

At noon yesterday the No. 9 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr J. M. Dwyer), gave approval for the multiple hiring of taxis in Christchurch until such time as petrol deliveries return to normal. This approval is subject to safeguards contained in the regulations: the principal ones being that the original hirer has the right to object, that a certain discount is allowed on the fare, and that there are not more than two hirers at any time. Mr A. Lawrence, manager of Blue Star Taxis, Ltd, said that his firm had applied for an emergency supply of petrol, but had been rejected. “We were caught like everybody else when the news of

the delivery stoppage came at 11.30 a.m.,” he said yesterday afternoon. “We should be all right for petrol until tomorrow.

“We have told the hospitals, the National Airways Corporation and big companies for which we carry out special night and early-morning services that we may be able to cope—we will just have to play it by ear.” Mr L. A. Stewart, service manager for Blue Star Taxis, said that the firm’s bowsers provided a 24-hour service, but super-grade petrol had been sold out by 2.30 p.m., and regular-grade would not last much longer. Some petrol had been reserved for taxis.

Drivers for Gold Band Taxis, Ltd, get their petrol, like the ordinary motorist, from a bowser of their choice. The company’s manager (Mr T. E. Hogg), said that drivers would do their best, and he thought they would be able to “get through” until Sunday in some cases.

“We have already curtailed the inner area office jobs, and we will have to knock back those trips that involve the uneconomic use of petrol,” said Mr Hogg.