EXHIBITION TRAFFIC

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 195, 14 May 1940, Page 2

EXHIBITION TRAFFIC

Work Of The Tramways Department

The general manager of the Wellington tramways and electricity department, Mr. M. Cable, has issued the following bulletin to the tramway staff: — “It is appropriate that, with the closing of the Exhibition, reference should be made to the manner in which the officers and men of the traffic branch' of the department responded to the management’s request for cooperation In handling the abnormal traffic during the six months the Exhibition was open. “When it was estimated several years ago that the attendance at the Exhibition would reach 4,000,000 it was realized by the management that all the department’s facilities would be taxed, to the utmost in providing transport to aud from Rongotai for such a large number of people. , Proposals for the construction of additional rolling stock —tramcars and buses —and additional track facilities were drawn up and proceeded with in time for the opening of the Exhibition. The problem of providing staff for maintaining a heavy service for approximately 15 hours daily presented exceptional difficulties for the traffic office, particularly because of certain provisions in the industrial agreement, being too rigid for the abnormal conditions likely to prevail.

“Fortunately after prolonged negotiations an amicable agreement was reached with the representatives of the union which enabled the department to draw up rosters to meet the special operating conditions.” “Notwithstanding the effect of adverse circumstances affecting attendances, the department had to cope with exceptionally heavy traffic, particularly during the three months before the closing date, and it may be of interest to the staff to learn that during the period the Exhibition was open the number of passengers carried was approximately 4,250,000 more than the number carried during the corresponding period of 1938-39. “It is particularly gratifying to me to record that during this busy period officers and men alike rose to the occasion and performed their duties in the best interests of the city. Throughout the six months not a single serious accident occurred and, apart from the power trouble on the closing night, when the traffic handled was a record, not a single hitch arose. I desire to thank all concerned for the loyal service rendered to the city and for the manner in which they maintained the best traditions of the Wellington tramway undertaking.”