CROWDED OUT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1100, 12 April 1911, Page 8

CROWDED OUT.

THE SUBURBAN CAR SERVICE. COMPLAINTS ISY THROUGH PASSEXGKHS. It. lias boon n long-standing and nftoxpresscd complaint that through passengers on the Mibwban car routes aru frcjiioiUly crowded out by short-dis-tance passengers during the "rush hours." This grievance was once again ventilated at (he meeting of the Minimal- Borough Council, which was held last evening, when the following letter from a resident of the borough was lead:— An Obdurafs Inspector.

Wliile trying to board the- 5.1 p.m. ear for Miramar at Courtenay t'lace, Inspector Simoon caught hold of mo and said J could not get on the car. I told him that it was a Miramar car, and that I lived at Miramar, and that 1 was going to get on. Inspector Simeon said that there was no room. 1 said to him: "■Seeing that it is a Miramar car, I demand of you to find me a place." Another passenger t oMiramar said k> Inspector Simeon: "I don't think it fair, seeing that he is a Miramar man, that he shouldn't have ;i place." Inspector Simeon's reply was that he didn't, care where lie lived—he (the Miramar man) was not going to board the car. Now, what 1 want to know is: Mas Inspector Simeon power to discriminate against Miramar passengers, when Brougham, l'irio, and Austin street, and Hataitai passengers are allowed to board the car? 1 take it that the car is for Miramar passengers. Also, am 1 not entitled to expect that Inspector Simeon should make some endeavour to find mo some place in the car. . . .

Council to Take Action. Tlie Mayor (Mr. J. Brodie) thought that the long-distance passengers ought to be given some preference in such cases' as that cited by the writer, and that a letter conveying that opinion might bo sent to the city tramways department. Councillor Richards said that it was a frequent occurrence for through passengers to Mirr.mar to be crowded out. Councillor Bowie said that if the council could not look after itself in .this matter tho city authorities would not. Ho thought tliat if the City Council could not deviso some system of bo controlling the suburban 'traffic that the long-distance passengers would be accommodated during the "rush hours," the Borough Council should. Councillor Bell said that there were letters and letters. This particular letter should clearly exnress the grievances under which residents of the borough were at present suffering. Previous letters and deputations had been resultless. The Mayor remarked that the congestion in the cars on a recent Saturday in liis own exnerienco was simply disgraceful. Councillor Bowie said that the point which affected the council most was that which affected its pocket. The borough tramways account did not get the benefit of the crowd which swamped the suburban cars and got off on tin's side of the city boundary. After further discussion it was agreed that a letter bo sent to the. city tramways department drawing attention to the matter, and requesting some modification of the existing state of affairs, with the object of securing some system of preferential treatment for the through passengers.