OMNIBUS V. TRAM

Evening Star, Issue 19272, 10 June 1926, Page 13

OMNIBUS V. TRAM

THE TWOPENCE EXTRA PILL REGULATIONS TO BE MODIFIED DISCRETION LEFT Tt) LICENSING AUTHORITY, [Pee United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. June 9. Regarding the bus regulations, the Prime Minister, made the following statement: — | “It has been decided to make one alteration in the motor omnibus regulations about to come into operation. The alteration is in reference to the i provision which requires every motor I omnibus running in direct competition with a tramway to charge at least two--1 pence more than the corresponding tram faro. According to the balance of tho evidence put forward hi the recent conference of the _ parties concerned and tho information obtained by the Public Works Department as to running costs in New Zealand and other countries, this charge fairly re- ' presents both the amount which it is necessary to impose to protect the capital sunk in municipal tramway undertakings from the spasmodic attacks of omnibus competition, and also the amount which, in view of the difference in running expenses between trams and omnibuses, it is necessary for an omnibus service to charge if it is to avoid a loss in the long run. Representations have, however, been made that special cases may exist in which a motor omnibus service, operating along a tram route under such conditions as to afford a legitimate public convenience, and therefore entitled to receive a license, is capable of so operating without the need of the additional twopence excess fare. It has been decided to meet this position by leaving it to the discretion of tho local licensing authority in any case in which an application is made to waive the imposition of the additional twopence. As in tiie other matters left in the hands of the local authority, this decision is to be subject to appeal to the Transport Appeal Bonn! of the district. It is felt that this modification will bo in lino with tho general tenor of the regulations in leaving as much as possible to be settled by the local representatives of the public who are primarily concerned. Although it may be questioned whether there will bo many cases in which omnibus proprietors will be able to satisfy the licensing authority or tho Appeal Board that a fair case is made out for a concession, the modification of the existing hard-and-fast provision should go a long way to meet tho criticism which has been levelled at the regulations, probably as the result of one or two cases of liardship which could not be met by a provision framed generally for the whole dominion. The necessary alteration will be effected by an amending Order in Council which it is intended to issue at an early date.” CARRYING OH AS USUAL CHRISTCHURCH June 9. Tho buses controlled by the members of the Canterbury Omnibus Proprietors’ Association will be running on all routes to-morrow, despite the advent of tho now bus regulations. The proprietors have decided to carry on, and the public, which has given such strong support, will not bo deprived of the convenience provided by bus transport. The prices will bo as usual until the proprietors hear further from the licensing authority, in the meantime the owners have made application to the No. 10 licensing district authorities, and tho regulations will bo complied with. On the application forms the route, the carrying capacity, and other details have to be sot down. An owner told a reporter that the City Council had been very fair in its negotiations with the bus proprietors, and sought to get an understanding beI tween the tramways, the buses, and the i committee without treating anyone harshly. The buses of the Christchurch Tramway Board will also adhere to their present schedule and mutes. The private buses on the Bryndwr-Hare-wood run will be discontinued because of tho regulations. AUCKLAND, .Line 9. ] Tho position regarding tho motor bus | regulations, which come into force to- ! morrorv, is creating great interest, but tho proprietors are pursuing their dej termination to defy tho regulations, and have posted notices on their buses; “ All fares as usual.” The committee of the City Council, which is the licensing authority for Auckland, will meet to-morrow. Tho council announces that it proposes to withdraw all feeder services outside the tram area, on the ground that this will provide a legitimate scope for private enterprise, but the council will itself run express bus .services at rush hours to Onehunga anil on other routes where private buses at present run.