MORNINGTON TRAMS

Evening Star, Issue 20958, 24 November 1931, Page 11

MORNINGTON TRAMS

♦ REDUCTION IN FARES DESIRED RATEPAYERS’ ASSOCIATION TAKES ACTION At a special meeting of Mornlugton residents held last evening it was unanimously decided that the local Ratepayers’ Association appoint a deputation to wait on tho City Council and ask for a reduction in the Morniugton tram and bus fares. Mr R. S. F. A. McDonald, who presided over a large attendance, explained the objects of tho meeting, and after giving a brief summary ox tho proposed endeavour to obtain a reduction in the present tram fares, he called upon Messrs C. R. Dickson and E. W. H. Patou to address the meeting. Mr Dickson (chairman of. the Ratepayers’ Association) stated that for some considerable,,time numerous requests had been made for tho association to take some steps regarding the present fares. . The speaker stated that tho fares on the Morniugton lines even in comparison with tho Roslyn line were far too high. When a person boarded a Mornington tram at the foot, of High street to travel to Maryhill terminus, the fare cost fpurpence, whereas on the Roslyn line the fare for a much longer trip to Kaikorai or Maori Hill was only threepence. To take a car from High street to Elgin road or Bellcknowes terminus the fare was fivepence. This was the case despite the fact that the profits on tho Mornington lines were some £2,800 for the year ended March, 1931, .while the profits r i tho Roslyn lines were only approximately £166. The speaker was of the opinion that the profits on the Mornington line should ■be passed on ti the residents in the form of an improved service or a reduction in fares, the latter during these days of depression being most accept--able. Apart from tho profits being made, ho continued, the residents must not forget that tho City Council had had tho advantage of the 10 per cent, cut in employees’ wages, and so far this had not been passed on to the residents. The amount saved by the cut was over £3OO, and if this s—-.i was distributed in faro reductions it would mean a considerable saving to travellers on the trams. Another point was that if tho fares were reduced the increase in the numbers that would be carried on the trams through lower fares would more than compensate for the reductions. The speaker further pointed out that hundreds of people were walking up and down for tho single reason that they considered the fares too high. Mr Dickson pointed out that since the Railways Department had lowered fares tho number of passengers had increased by 20 per cent. Lower fares, ho stated, would encourage more residents to the district, which would also mean more passengers carried. Mr E. IV. H. Patou was the next speaker, and dealing with children’s fares he stated that whereas a child living at St. Clair or Normanby only paid 4s per month for a school ticket it cost the Mornington children 11s. This in spito of tho fact that the Morniugton trams showed the largest percentage of profit of any lino in Dunedin. Mr Patou further stated that passengers on tho Maryhill line-—probably tho shortest in Now Zealand—had to pay Id each way, and he was of the opinion that the present so-called concession ticket was a farce, as it cost Is for twelve rides. Dealing with tho bus fares, Mr Patou stated that 2d per trip was far too high, and did not encourage residents to use it, while tho present “ up ” ticket at eleven rides for 2s was also too costly. The Chairman then called for suggestions Horn those present, and after a good deal of discussion it was moved by Mr C. Paul and seconded by Mr L. Dickson —“ That this public meeting of residents of Morniugton district unanimously requests tiie Mornington Ratepayers’ Association to form a deputation to the City Council asking for a reduction (as suggested by Mr Patou) in the Mornington tram and bus services.” After several residents had spoken to tho motion it was carried unanimously. The Chairman, in his closing remarks, stated a'special meeting of the committee of tho association would bo called, when arrangements would be finalised regarding the deputation to approach tho City Council. - A member of the audience congratulated tho association on its forward stop, and pointed out that while they had no direct representation on the City Council tho residents of Mornington had to look to tho association to further the interests of the district. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meej^ng-