‘Economy, weather hitting bus revenue’

Press, 4 October 1977, Page 6

‘Economy, weather hitting bus revenue’

The national economy and the cold Christchurch weather - were yesterday blamed for the reduced patronage of the city’s buses, a patronage that has continued to decline by 13 per cent in the past year. Passenger journeys have decreased by 902,056 (or 13 per cent) compared with last year. Passenger revenue has decreased by $106,325 while total revenue has decreased by $114,310, or 7.2 per cent, compared with the estimates. The net cost of running (he buses so far this year is above the estimates by $33,743 —3.9 per cent. At the final meeting of the Christchurch Transport Board before the local body elections on Saturday the spokesman on finance matters (Mr D. J. Gallagher) blamed the national economic situation and the weather for the reduced patronage. He said retail turnover was

down, which suggested people were not shopping as much as in the past. “We are also facing an outflow of people leaving Christchurch,” Mr Callagher said. “People are moving to warmer climates. Many English people are going back to England and a lot of people are going to Auckland.” Mr Callagher said that the reduction of fares was not an answer. It was important the incoming board be conscious of the “area of concern” and investigate ways of attracting additional patronage, particularly by way of the “ring” route system. However, the downturn in the economy could in fact help the transport board attract more passengers, he said. “It is not all bad by any means. The downturn should help us.. The cost of running 'a private vehicle is becoming

an impossible burden. Public transport should be more viable in future.” A Labour member of the board, Mr J. Mathison, called Mr Callagher’s explanation ian “absurd excuse.” “Something is radically wrong and its getting worse and worse,” he said. The chairman of the board (Mr M. O. Holdsworth) said he had challenged the Labour Party since August to be specific about its policy of reducing bus fares and working towards a free service. “I’ve challenged Labour to put the figures down on paper. They’ve refused and I suggest it’s because they know it won’t work.” If the fare was reduced by 20 per cent Labour would still be short of SI.SM. This would mean a 64 per cent increase in rates. Mr Holdsworth said the Labour Party in New South Wales had introduced the same system and it had not worked.