SUBURBAN FARES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 108, 8 May 1937, Page 8

SUBURBAN FARES

THE NEW CONCESSIONS

(To the Editor.)

Sir,— Recently - your columns anr.ouhced the Railway Department's new schedules of suburban fares. It made most gratifying reading, but upon inquiry as to details, I, with many others in my region, learned that these rates do not apply to stations beyond Johnson ville. I am told that the city boundary has been taken as the limit m this decision, but it would appear an arbitrary and rather an unjust cleavage. ' . In attributing to the term suburban" a connotation of geographic limitation only, a narrow interpretation has been given, I think. The individual who travels daily to the urban area surely has a claim to be regarded as a suburban resident • for purposes such as this. I would almost say, conversely, that one who dwells in a, city yet immures himself from ils social life, is not entitled to its privi--Ic2GSi Yet,, when on a milage basis.at least, there is perfect equality, is it not reasonable to expect equality of treatment? It is. galling to think that the traveller in the Hutt Valley,; using the service no more often, traversing much the same distances, enjoys a substantial concession that we may not share. Must one wait till population increases there? Again, contrarily, I am assured.that the general object of the new rates is to induce people to live further fr.om the city. My system of logic quails before such reasoning as Another anomaly is that, while the twelve-trip tickets have been reduced, it appears that no alteration has been made in season tickets.'Even coconut shies are "four for sixpence and nine for a bob," but the Railway Department inverts the order, so that, by paying several pounds in advance, one is favoured with an extra charge per trip as compared with the weekly tickets. .Unfortunately, .those beyond Johnsonville do not share even this doubtful .courtesy; but it is an interesting commentary on : the official mind — I.am, etc., PAPATAWA, PORIRUA, f PAREMATA, PLIMMERTON, PUKERUA, "PAEKOK." :