TOMAHAWK BUS SERVICE.

Evening Star, Issue 21689, 7 April 1934, Page 13

TOMAHAWK BUS SERVICE.

, TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I would like to draw attention to the very inadequate bus service plying between Dunedin and Tomahawk, also to the fact that the management of the company seems to think that it can send buses just at the hours that suit it, instead of suiting patrons. Last Saturday, also on Tuesday, though it was advertised that buses would run at the usual hours, they did not do so, and several workers who travel all the year round were left at the last minute to make their own arrangements to get to the city. Another reason for complaint is the extortionate fare charged—--9d each way for a distance under five mile, along a perfectly level road most of the way. The company says that it does not pay to charge, less or run buses more frequently, as so many _ people prefer to walk to the tram termini, but as that means half an hour’s walk on a very stony road it is nonsense to call it preference. There are only two buses a day to and from Tomahawk, excepting Friday, when an extra one is run for shoppers. At other times one must walk, and for mothers with young children this is very inconvenient. There are a number of residents of Tomahawk who would patronise the bus more if the fare was reduced to, say, 6d, and an extra bus run on a Tuesday or Wednesday and Saturday night.—l am, etc., ’ Resident.

■ April 5. [The company advises that two years ago the regular workers’ fares lyere reduced from 6d a trip to 4d in an effort to induce more residents to use the buses, but the results have been very disappointing, ,the average number of. daily patrons being only approximately nine. The service therefore obviously does not pay.—Ed. E.S.]