TRANSPORT “PIRACY”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 47, 7 February 1928, Page 3

TRANSPORT “PIRACY”

“SEV EN-SEATERS” v., OMNIBUSES. SCOUTING AND OVERLOADING DISCUSSED. tvliat is considered undue and unfair copipetition between omnibuses and “seven-seaters” was briefly referred to at the meeting of the Napier Borough Council last evening, when the traffic inspector’s report was placed before the councillors. “Seven-seater vehicles ‘plying for hire on a route’ in the majority of cases do not, in my opinion, give a satisfactory service, as they can be, and are, utilised for 'other forms of ‘plying for hire,’ and if this is offering then their timetables are neglected' and they' are under no obligation re insurance of passengers, etc., and in some cases do not even pay a heavy traffic license,” commented that official. He pointed out that ■when the Motor Omnibus Traffic Act was being framed the council strongly urged that “seven-seaters” should come within the provisions of that Act and he suggested that the council should again ask that the Act be amended in this direction. “I think we all agree that wc should endeavour to get the authorities to deal with the matter again,” stated Or. J. C. Bryant in supporting the suggestion. “This scouting business is most unfair,” declared the Mayor (Mr. J. Vigour Brown), “but the trouble is that the people themselves are to blame mostly, in that they take the first available car or bus so as to get home quickly.” A suggestion that the inspector take drastic steps was made, but it was pointed out by the town clerk that the “seven-seater” would only be charged with “overloading” if they carried more than the required number of passengers. “Wo have got to be fair, as we overload our trams,” stated Cr. C. D. Cox. “We must support our officers,” stated the Mayor, whose motion to support the suggestion of the inspector was carried. 1