MOTOR BUS SERVICES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 261, 2 October 1936, Page 12

MOTOR BUS SERVICES

SCHOOL CHILDREN’S TICKETS. POSITION OF RANGIOTU. A discussion took place .at the sitting of the No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority, in Palmerston North, yesterday, on the proposal to reduce tho fares for children travelling by motor bus from Rangiotu to schools in the city, the decision of which was published yesterday. For three months, from January, the fares are to be reduced, the 5s weekly concession ticket being made available for 4s. The reduction in the fare outlined was sought by Mr F. J. Legg, of Bainesse, who said he thought that tho charge should be 3s 6d. That sum was charged for secondary school children’s weekly tickets from Feeding. The distance in each case was the same, and he thought that more children would use the bus service at tho reduced fare. Replying to Air D. F. Smillic, who appeared for the Madge Char-a-banc Company, tho operators concerned. Mr Legg said that some pupils now cycled to the city from Rangiotu. The Education Department was going to subsidise the fares to the extent of 8d per trip, which meant that each trip would only cost the parents 4d. Mr Smillie: If the fare were reduced to 3s Gd it would mean that the children would travel for nothing. Air Legg; Wo think education ought to be free. Mr Smillie submitted figures showing that the weekly average of children travelling from Feilding to Palmerston North was 16.23 and from Bunnythorpe to Palmerston North 12.23, whereas from Rangiotu to Palmerston North tho weekly average was only 5.23. The maximum on any one day had been 9. Tho density of population had a bearing on the fixing of fares. Alany of tho pupils came in from Rangiotu by bicycle, and in rough weather took the bus home. On other occasions private car owners brought the children in, and in this way the service was abused. , The Authority (Air P. Skoglund) remarked that in his opinion children should be transported to school free, but the transport operator could not be penalised on that score. The, cost should be found by the Government. However, it was a cheap trip—(id in and 6d out. Children from Bulls had to pay 6s a week, with Is off for ! one day missed and 6d off for each succeeding day missed. Those from AVoodville paid £3 a quarter, while Rongotea children paid 6s 6d a week. Air Skoglund asked Air Smillie if the fare could be reduced to 4s if the service was used completely. Air Smillie replied that a full patronage was promised two years ago, but the promise had not been fulfilled.

Mr Skoglund suggested giving tho 4s weekly fare a trial for a month or two, and Air Smillie agreed to do that from tho beginning of the school year in February next on a short trial. The tickets, however, would be for week of issue only. Air D. G. Aloore said that some of tho pupils cycled in order to be at school when it opened, whereas by bus they were an hour late. Mr Smillie said the bus was going to arrive in Palmerston North a little earlier in future. Mr Skoglund said lie thought Afr Smillie had met the parents very fairly. Mr J. A. Shaw mentioned that one lad liad cycled from Bainesse every day and secured his matriculation certificate within three years. The decision of the Authority was then given as previously stated. INCREASED ACCOMMODATION. The Highways Transport Company, for whom Air Knight appeared, sought ail increase in the seating accommodation of a vehicle to be used in a daily return service between Palmerston North and Wellington when an application was also made to transfer the license to Alessrs Newman Bros. The increase asked for was from eight seats to 12. For the Railway Department, Air W. Sehierning said that the granting of the application would take passengers from the railways. Air Skoglund said increases had been granted in Wellington in order to standardise vehicles in a fleet, and although he did not like going too far in the matter, he thought the present application could be granted. OPERATORS’ AGREEMENT. It was announced by Air Knight that by an . agreement reached on Wednesday night, all service cars and buses would be calling at both of either of the two booking offices in Palmerston North for the convenience of passengers and goods. Mr H. J. Smith, for the Palmerston North City Council, said no objection would be taken if the services did not intend to open up any more offices and if they dealt with through passengers only. There was a danger that the new arrangement might interfere with the taxi service in Palmerston N(Vth. Mr Knight said the calling at both offices would only bo occasionally, that was, when one office advised the other that passengers were waiting. It was to meet tho public convenience.