THE TAXI TURMOIL

Evening Post, Issue 11, 13 July 1936, Page 10

THE TAXI TURMOIL

SUGGESTED SOLUTION

CONTROL BY CITY COUNCIL

A scheme for the ending of what is admitted by everyone concerned to be * most unsatisfactory position in the u-car business in Wellington has en suggested to the chief traffic offir of the City Council (Mr. L. S. ake) by Mr. J. L. Fenton, Kilbirnie, d has been referred on to the City gineer (.Mr. K. E. Luke) for his conleration and, presumably, for subssion to the .bylaws committee of 2 City Council. Mr. Fenton, who as proprietor of the hite Band Taxis, brings expert and actical knowledge to bear, proposes at the management of the whole of c taxi business in Wellington should placed under the direct supervision the City Council, whose officers juld then be in a position to exerse a control at present not possible, wards the ending of unreasonable mpetition and unduly long hours of ark and for an improvement in the anagement of the business generally, the benefit of public, owners, and •ivers alike. In brief, Mr. Fenton's scheme is as Hows:— 1. That all taxis in Wellington be rmed into one organisation, conoiled exclusively by the Wellington ity Council, and to be known as the Wellington Taxis." 2. That every licensed taxi remain ie sole property of the individual taxi roprietors or proprietor. 3. That every taxi-proprietor pay a eekly levy of 12s 6d, plus £1 per anum "stand fee, for every taxi licensed i his name. 4. That all taxis work-in a series of velve-hour shifts, except during holi-j ays and on special occasions. 5. That all taxis be painted a uniirm and distinctive colour and design. Mr. Fenton contends that under his :heme each taxi would pay 12s 6d a reek to belong to the organisation intead of the 25s to 30s a week now aid to taxi firms; that-there would be ne central office for all calls, and that very stand in the city (up to its numer) would be open to every owner at 11 hours. It is further contended by Mr, Fenan that the receipts from the proposed ;vy (200 cars at 12s 6d per week) .rould considerably more than meet the xpense whidh would be involved in tie maintenance .of a supervisory ofice, including office rent, telephones, ighting, salaries (manager, inspector, perators, typist), and miscellaneous, i'hich, he estimates, would not exceed 180 15s per week, leaving a balance f £44 5s per week. Mr. Fenton believes that were such . general scheme adopted a great deal if the present dead running would be lone away with, to the extent'that it night be possible to reduce the fare o 9d a mile, and that shifts could be imited to twelve hours; which could inly be done under a definite city-wide )lan. "The whole scheme depends on the -ity Council being given control, as here must be some authority behind he proposal to make it workable," he ;aid. "My scheme would not prevent Drivate owners' of taxis having their )wn telephones and doing 'private .york, but so long as they paid their lees they would have the right to use he stands.all over the city and the ;elephone service connected therewith. [ have given this matter a great deal sf thought, and believe that it would be a good thing for all concerned if something of the sort were adopted." The City Engineer, when asked if lie could state the view of the City Council upon the proposals, said that the decision must rest with the bylaws committee and1 the council.. He was not able to comment upon the scheme at present. ..