Shirley bus

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32604, 12 May 1971, Page 16

Shirley bus

Sir,—l wish to complain of a quite unnecessary inconvenience to the patrons of the Shirley bus. This afternoon I and several other people arrived* in the Square about 4.10 p.m., intending to catch the 420 p.m. bus. When a bus arrived at approximately 4.22 p.rn. we boarded this bus. An inspector then arrived, spoke to the driver, and then dispatched an almost empty Shirley bus which had pulled in behind ours. Apparently this was the 420 p.m. bus which had arrived late, and the bus we were on was the 430 pan. Surely the inspector could have given the passengers on the front bus the opportunity of changing to the bus which was to leave first. Then,

after an exchange of words between inspector and driver, both left the bus and we were left sitting there waiting for another driver. We eventually left the Square some 20 minutes, or more, later than we had expected. I think a little bit of thought on the inspector’s part could have avoided all this inconvenience.—Yours, etc., M. WALSH. April 20. 1971.

[The general manager of the Christchurch Transport Board (Mr J. F. Fardel!) replies: “In this instance a bus which was due to leave later had got into position ahead of the bus due to leave first. When the inspector saw what had happened he set about rectifying the position. He boarded the bus due to leave last, and advised passengers which bus would be leaving first, saying they could transfer if they wished to do so. It would appear that this action was not noticed by the complainant I would apologise for any inconvenience so caused."]