Bus patronage rise of 10.3 per cent

Press, 16 May 1984, Page 9

Bus patronage rise of 10.3 per cent

The increase in passengers on Christchurch Transport Board buses is the first “natural” growth since World War 11, said the board’s general manager, Mr M. G. Taylor, yesterday.

Mr Taylor told the board’s monthly meeting that increases in recent years had been forced. “Carless days, oil prices, and half-price fares all caused an increase in patronage but the growth was not natural.

“I hope that it is not only one swallow, but the start of many,” he said. The 10.3 per cent increase in patronage recorded last financial year was caused by the first complete year of off-peak concession fares and the first full year of extended services to Rangiora, Lincoln, Halswell, and Southbridge, he said.

“In last year’s report it was predicted that these two factors should result in 13.9 million passenger journeys being made in 1983-84. With the benefit of hindsight it can be seen that this prediction was a little cautious and a figure of 14 million would have been more appropriate. “After allowing for the extra journeys obtained from the special Bus-N-Win marketing venture at the end of the year, the 14.7 million passenger journeys recorded indicate a real

growth in usage of 4 per cent,” Mr Taylor said.

Rates Ratepayers in the Transport Board’s area will pay about 3.3 per cent less in transport rates this year. The board approved the new rate levy for this financial year of $7.1 million comprising general rates of $6.6 million and special rates of $525,000. Accidents

Although the number of accidents involving the board’s buses increased, the average of accidents per 100,000 km run dropped.

During the year 292 accidents were reported, an increase of 21 over the previous year. This was offset by the increase in kilometres travelled.

These figures included all accidents and not just ones involving other vehicles. In the last seven years the accident rate per 100,000 km run has decreased more than half.

Mr Taylor said that the most significant reason for this drop was the low staff turnover in recent years. Of the permanent staff of 503 only 18 people resigned last year, compared with 106 five years ago. The increasing emphasis put on staff training was another reason for the drop in the accident rate, he said.

Modern buses which were easier to drive had also helped.

Airport route

Transport Board staff will investigate the possibility of the bus to the airport stopping at the Commodore Motor Inn, Russley Hotel, Ham Motels, Chateau Regency, Noah’s Hotel, and the Vacation Hotel. Mr I. R. Rivers said that such a service had been well patronised in Auckland, Sydney, and Melbourne and there seemed little reason why it should not get started here.

Tourism was very important in Christchurch and this could help, he said.