Municipal Bus Service

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 65, 18 March 1936, Page 5

Municipal Bus Service

CHEAPER FARES AGAIN URGED. The municipal bus service was the subject of a discussion at a meeting of the Terrace End Development and Progressive Association last night. From the City Council was received a letter replying to representations mado by the association, the council advising that it was the opinion that reduced fares were not warranted. In regard to the suggestion - that tho buses should not leave town until after the pictures were out, efforts were being mado to secure a more regular closing time of the theatres, provided the present time of departure was not exceeded. An observation bus had been tried out some years ago and had to be abandoned for want of support. With tho present fleet, it was impossible to increase the service during the afternoon beyond the 20 minutes as at present and the traffic did not warrant any increase during this period or the forenoon, when a 30-minute service operated. With regard to tho suggested bus shelters, the city engineer had been requested to furnish an estimate of the cost of erection. Speaking in regard to cheaper fares, the chairman. (Air. F. J. Oakley) paid there might be a loss for some time, but when people realised that' fares were lower, it would pay the council. It was a lame excuse for the council to quote a report made some years ago against a reduction of the fares, said Air. H. E. Townshend. It was decided to reply that the association was still of the opinion that reduced fares should be brought into operation, as this would popularise the buses. The service was not being run for the public, said'Air. R. Cousins in. commenting ou the council’s refusal to delay the departure of the last buses from the Square until after the pictures are out. Air. Townshend: Surely .the buses should be run to suit the people. It is not right that hundreds of people should be stranded after the pictures. “There would be quite a harvest' for the buses if they waited for tho theatres,” said tho chairman. “Tho revenue would more .thap mqet the overtime that would have to be paid the drivers.” Air. F. C. Litchfield suggested that the picture theatres could meet tho position by doing away with the interval. Air. Townshend: You can get a railway train easier than a bus. - They will tun for ari opera. - Tt was decided again to suggest to the council that the buses should not leave till the pictures were out and to point out that there was a considerable loss of revenue through the present position. Tn regard to excursion buses, it was decided to ask the council to run them on holidays. After further consideration had been given to bus matters, it W 33 decided that Or. W. B. Cameron, chairman of the City Council’s transit committee, should be asked to receive a deputation from the association.