Survey ‘grossly misleading’

Press, 7 November 1978, Page 1

Survey ‘grossly misleading’

A “grossly misleading” passenger survey influenced the Christchurch Transport Board’s decision to cut evening bus services, the Tramways Union has alleged. The union is one of several objector _> to the board’s application foi cuts in its evening timetable, which is being heard by the No'. 9 Transport District. Licensing Authority (Mr D. L. Hogan). At the hearing yesterday, the union asserted .hat a survey made in August 1977. was ill-pre-pared, incorrect, and grossly misleading.

Figures contained in the survey were wrongly

added, according to Mr M. Dawson, who was giving evidence on behalf of the union.

Another misleading aspect was on the state of the weather, Mr Dawson said: according to the survey all but two days during August were fine. But he produced evidence from the Meteorological Office o show that only one day n the month was fine. “The entire month of Xugust, 1977, was cold, vet and miserable — not in ideal period on which to base all your information relating to evening patronage levels.” ft was “disgraceful if used to consider evening service cuts,” he said. Mr Dawson said the union believed that the

survey .was conducted as an exercise by a board which had already made up its mind before the survey. “That they barely gave the results their attention is clearly evident.” The evidence presented to board members was incorrect, he said, and therefore the very basis of the board’s argument was suspect.

It was the union’s contention that the cuts, were not in the public interest, md would be an economic disaster.

The board’s financial argument was weak, said Mr Dawson, and based on “guesstimations.” “It has grossly underestimated the effect that cutting evening services will have on future revenue.”

The union’s estimate of revenue loss, assuming that 10 per cent of evening passengers stopped using buses, was $53,000.

Furthermore, Mr Dawson said a Government subsidy of $750,000 had recently been paid- to support evening services. He produced a letter from the Minister of Transport (M; McLachlan), who said he was disappointed that pro posals to reduce such ser vices were still occurring The Minister’s lette; said: “The sum of $0.75.V of the incentive subsidy illocation was specifically aimed at support for night and week-end services.” Christchurch as a city ■would suffer too, said Mr Dawson. “As the services in a given area deteriorate

it accelerates other deterioration. Already many people are finding this city less attractive to live in. “If buses only enter and depart Cathedral Square about once an hour, it will become a desert at night, devoid of all but the most ntrepid traveller, or the iesperate.” He spoke also of the •.ost to the community ■.rising from an increased ise of motor vehicles. ‘Over the entire city the extra amount would be taggering.”

An increase in dependence on cars would also mean an increase in the rate of accidents, Mr Dawson said. Submissions from the other objectors will be heard today.