A Central Bus Stand

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 195, 20 August 1935, Page 8

A Central Bus Stand

Service Proprietors State Their Case

PASSENGERS SHOULD GET FIRST CONSIDERATION

At its last meeting tho City Council heard the views of a fairly large deputation of business men in regard to the establishment of a centrally situated rural bus stand between the band rotunda and tho public library. Last evening they were privileged to hear the views of tho rural bus proprietors on tho same subject.

Mr. D. F. Smillio contended that the recent deputation that had como before tho council advocating tho new rural bus stand had a personal interest bohind its advocacy. He regretted that those who had comprised that deputation had not first of all approached the bus proprietors. Dad they done so, the time of tho council would not now be wasted. Mr. Smillie said an attempt had been made before to centralise the services and it had been founa impossible to achieve. Tho same reasons existed to-day. Tho council should no', consider private business interests but the people whom tho buses brought to the city. Tho bus proprietors did not indicate to tho travelling public where to shop and did not display advertisements on their buses even. Some buses carried mails and any move to shift the stand would mean that those mails would be hung up. Tho buses had to be wiiero the people were. Even the council recognised that, when it stood its own buses outside picture shows at night. Tho increased service to the town necessitated an extra stand for tho rural buses and one had been allocated recently by the council. Mr. Smillio also pointed out that the prosent stand by the post office was recog uised by the Transport Board as n ter minus. Then there was the added risk of crossing and recrossing tho railway line. Mr. Smillio pointed out as well that thoso who used the rural buses were now able to ieavo luggage at the depots free so that a left luggago office whero they had to pay would not be popular. Ho dealt with other aspects of tho new proposal and said it was absurd for ono section of business people to try and dictate to tho bus proprietors as to where they should go. Those business people had nothing like the heavy commitments to meet as the bus proprietors had and tho speaker claimed they were trying to work the bus services for their own ends. Mr. L. 11. C'ollinson said tho council knew of tho value of the bus services to Palmerston North. Although the people ivere set dowm at tho post office, they radiated ail over the business area. He considered tho buses should serve those who used them and not particular business interests. There was not too much congestion at the post office stand. Mr. Collinson congratulated the council in its endeavour to encourage outside trade to tho city. There were nono of tho petty annoyances they used to hear about.

Answering Cr. Aitchison, Mr. Smiliie said that ho believed that even if the council mado an alteration, tho Transport Board could countermand it. They w T ero the supreme authority. The Mayor said the council only had one desire and that to make a decision that was in the best interests of the city and those who did their business in Palmerston North.

Cr. Cameron thought the council had made tho right decision in setting out an extra stand for rural buses opposite Millar and Giorgi’s and he moved that that decision bo reaffirmed.

Cr. Hodgens seconded and the motion was carried

Retailers Favour Central Parking

FUTURE NEEDS STRESSED AND VALUE EMPHASISEL

At a largely-attended meeting of Palmerston North retailers last evening Mr. 11. B. Freo moved: “That this representative meeting of retailers supports the recent deputation to tho Palmerston. North City Council, requesting that tho rural bus stand be removed to the centre of the Square, beside the band rotunda and parallel to the railway line; also that the council be asked to givo favourable consideration to having central shelter sheds provided. ’’ in supporting tho proposal, Mr. H. B. Free pointed out that the traffic controversy had arisen because the present rural bus stand was overcrowded. In approaching the matter public convenience must be considered, whilst, the question of distribution of traffic to relieve both present and future congestion and also ratepayers’ interests demanded attention. If tho suggested stand wero adopted, spaco would be provided for 2(J cars opposite tho Kosy theatre, thus relieving tho congestion in Broadway, and tlic suggested site, he said, would bo suitable to all sections, owing to its central position. In making provision for future requ.rements it must bo remembered that Palmerston North was continually growing and would become a very large city. Regarding the objection to buses crossing tho railway lines, it had already beer pointed out that buses from Fox-ton, Levin, Pahiatua and Ashhurst would not need to cross the line, while the present city buses actually crossed the lino 133 times daily, or over 44,000 times yearly, but no accidents had occurred and rural bus drivers were equally as capable as those of the City Council.

Air. Free also ventured the opinion that in the very near future real-cars would be stopping in the centre of the Square. Mr. H. L. Cuuniughame considered that the existing site was more central as it was more suitable for passengers bound for Rang.tikei street. Mr. M. Aiillar said that the question should be looked at from tho broadest viewpoint—the benefit of all. By definitely centralising the parking area on a sito suitable for expansion, tbo position would be met. The south sido of the band rotunda would bo ideal, be-

cause there would be no fear of congestion, it was noar tho post office and there was facility for future expansion. Air. G. D. Pattle referred to the present inconvenience duo to the number of rural bus depots. Both retailers and the travelling public had often found difficulties which w r onld be overcome by the establishment of a central parcel and passenger depot to be used by all the rural services.

Air. M. N. Wallace pointed out that sooner or later a change in the situation of tho rural bus stand would be forced upon tho City Council through continued and rapid growth in the number of buses operating. Of the con-ce-veable positions the one suggested that evening was the only one suitable, and he envisioned tho day when rural and city buses would bo parked in the opposite halves of the Square. The meeting was firmly in accord with the idea ■ underlying the motion detailed above, its passage being practically unanimous.