NO REDUCTION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 53, Issue 32430, 12 May 1944, Page 5

NO REDUCTION

BUS FARES ON PLAINS PAEROA TO WAITAKARURU TRANSPORT DEPT’S. REPLY That the efforts of the Hauraki Plains County Council to have the bus fare from Waitakaruru to Paeroa and Thames reduced had met with no success was disclosed to the May meeting of the council when a letter from the Transport Department, Auckland, was received. The secretary of the Transport Department wrote as under: “With reference to my letter of April 28 I have to advise that this matter has been taken up with the companies concerned and the position is stated to be as under:

“Paeroa to Waitakaruru.—‘Fare 6s. The distance the passenger can travel is 29 miles. The full fare Paeroa to Auckland, a distance of 82 ; miles is 13s 6d.

Thames to Waitakaruru. —Fare 6s. Distance from commencement of section at Coxhead’s corner, Waitakaruru to Thames, is 29 miles. Full fare Thames to Auckland (84 miles), is 13s 6d.

“Considerable thought and consideration was given this matter when the fares were fixed about four years ago by the Licensing Authority and they are not considered to be disproportionate in view of the fact that it is a recognised principle of transport systems that fares over intermittent sections are on a higher scale than through fares.

“ It is pointed out by the companies that in the past three years operating costs have increased by approximately 50 per cent, but the fares remain the same.

“In the circumstances the Licensing Authority does not propose to take any further action in the matter.”

Councillors in discussion pointed out that the principal question in which the council was interested was a service across the 'Pipiroa ferry 'but no mention of this was in the letter. It was decided to refer the matterback to the Transport Department.