U.T.C. saves millions — report

Press, 29 July 1989, Page 4

U.T.C. saves millions — report

By

PAM MORTON

The Urban Transport Council’s last annual report tabled in Parliament this week lists multi-miilion-dollar savings gained from its main centre urban bus study. The Minister of Transport, Mr Jeffries, said the study in the four main centres had cost $250,000, yet it had resulted in saving $1 million in Wellington and about $2 million through improvements to the Christchurch bus system. Peak service buses were reduced in Christchurch, and “rapid reds” arrived as express services in Wellington’s peak time. “These huge savings are a testament to the value provided in its eight years by the Urban

Transport Council members and staff,” Mr Jeffries said. “The authoritative survey on passenger transport subsidies, for example, included in this year’s report, has put Government and ratepayer subsidies on a scientific basis.” Mr Jeffries said the study had confirmed that reducing road congestion and providing particular social services, such as transport for the elderly or students, were solid reasons for maintaining subsidies. “This work on subsidies and the continuing work on urban bus services will act as a sound basis for the new dimension Transit New Zealand will bring to transport.” The U.T.C. is scheduled to go out of existence later this year

and its functions will be taken over by the new roading, transport and road safety authority, Transit New Zealand. The chairman of the Christchurch Transport Boad, Mr Pat Neary, said the council had only succeeded in reducing bus patronage. Mr Neary said the board had been pushed into a situation where it had to recover 50 per cent of the fare at the fare box. “The effect has obviously been a reduction in patronage.” Mr Neary said the U.T.C. had over-all authority on Government subsidies and how they were divided. “I can’t see that the U.T.C. has done much in the last three tc four years for Christchurch ijuses.”