ROAD TRANSPORT

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 91, 12 January 1932, Page 6

ROAD TRANSPORT

New Control System OPERATION OF ACT Powers of Authorities Preparations are well forward for the complete administration of the Transport Licensing Act which was put through Parliament last session by the Minister of Transport, Rt Hon. J. G. Coates, and which becomes fully operative on March 1. The measure is recognised as the first step toward bringing about the elimination of wasteful competition in road transport, and it is claimed that it will do much to place the whole of the Dominion’s transport services on an economic basis. One of the first tasks awaiting Mr. Coates on his return to Wellington after his holiday is the appointment of nine district licensing authorities, the Central Licensing Authority and the Transport Appeal Board. They will be set up some time during the present month or early next month, for it will be necessary for them to become acquainted with the work to be carried out before March 1. Under the provisions of the Act there will be six licensing districts in the North Island and three in the South Island. Each will have a membership of three, as also will the Appeal Board and the Central Authority. The district authorities will be appointed from nominations forwarded to the Minister, and these are now practically all to hand. Into the hands of these bodies will be placed the control of transport licensing and other aspects governing the operations of transport companies. No Immediate Changes. The licensing districts have already been defined. Although the powers of municipalities are likely to be affected to some extent by the new law, the three city councils in Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin will be the licensing authorities for their districts. The Auckland Transport Board will act as the authority in its area. Annual reports of activities must be furnished to the Minister of Transport each year. It is stated authoritatively that no Immediate alteration will be made in respect of licenses held by transport concerns. It is understood the procedure will be to allow district authorities to survey the position as it exists In their areas, and only then will any action considered necessary be taken. Companies at present operating were circularised by the Transport Department some time ago, and it has been asked that every effort should be made to return applications for services by to-day. These applications will go direct to the Commissioner of Transport. When they have been classified they will be forwarded to the authorities concerned, and t these bodies will then assume control, all Interested parties having the right to appear before an authority and make representations. After March 1 it will be unlawful for a passenger service to be carried on unless it has been duly licensed by a recognised authority. A passenger service license will not be required for the carriage of children to and from school unless other persons are at the same time carried for hire in the vehicles used. Nor will a license be required for the carriage by a contract vehicle of a private party on a special occasion. Powers of Supervision. The central authority will issue the license when a 'Service will be run within more than one district, and the district authority when the service will be conducted entirely within its confines. In considering an application, the licensing authority will have regard to the extent to which the proposed service is necessary or desirable in the public interest and the needs of the district or districts as a whole in relation to passenger transport. Extensive powers of supervision are given to the licensing authorities, and they may inquire into the ability of the applicant to carry on, timetables, fares proposed to be charged, the adequacy of services already in operation, the type of vehicles to be used, conditions of roads, the routes to be followed, and other questions. There is also provision for the control of goods services, and for the hearing of appeals. Wide powers are also given to inspectors, who will be enabled to keep a close watch on the operation of services and the standard at which they are being maintained.