SUNDAY TEAM FARES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18356, 23 March 1923, Page 8

SUNDAY TEAM FARES.

REDUCTION OF A PENNY.

NEW CHARGE ON APRIL 1.

ANNUAL COST OF £9000.

The extra penny which is now charged on each section on the Auckland tramcars on Sundays is not to be demanded after next week. At the meeting of the City Council last evening, the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson, moved that, as the council some time ago affirmed the principle, Sunday fares should be reduced by one penny on every section after March 31. Mr. T. Bloodworth moved as an amendment that concession cards be also available on Sundays. Mr. F. W. H. Brinsden seconded the amendment. He said he thought it would induce more people to use the cars on Sundays. The amendment was supported by Mr. J. Dempsey. The Mayor said carrying of his motion would make the Sunday fares the same as the ordinary week-day cash fares. This reduction would cost the council £9000 a year, and was the full concession that could be given. Mr. J. A. C. Allum asked what it would cost to allow the concession cards to be used on Sundays ? The Mayor said it would work out at about 25 per cent, of half the Sunday fares, whifh would mean £125 a week. Mr. W. J. Holdsworth said he thought it was going too far to reduce the Sunday fares. They should first have a report from the tramways manager or they might find themselves on the wrong side of the ledger. At this stage the council went into committee. On resuming, the amendment was lost, the original motion being carried. As a result the present fares will be charged for the last time next Sunday, the' reduced ones coming into force on Easter Sunday. * Charges to School Children. Mr. Allum then moved that only half fares be charged to children travelling to and from secondary schools. Mr. M. J. Bennett seconded the motion and asked what the proposal concession would cost. _ The Mayor said it wa| impossible to say. Since the introduction of the concession card system, there were no statistics showing the actual number of passengers carried on the cars. The manager of tramways, Mr. A. E. Ford, in reply to a question, said most of the children travelling by tram to schools at present asked for half-fares. The Mayor: And get them ? Mr. Ford Yes. After some discussion Mr. Allum's motion was lost. , Local Bodies Seek Information. The request of the Mount Eden Borough Council that the City Council should call a conference of local bodies interested in the tramways to consider the question of fares, was reported upon by the Electricity and Tramways Committee. The latter recommended that a reply be sent stating that as soon as practicable after the close of the current financial year, March 31, a copy of the tramways balance-sheet will be forwarded to the borough council, and that, thereafter, any facilities desired will be afforded to that body to obtain such information as it is entitled to. If after the receipt of this notification the borough council desires to discuss the position as it affects it, the City Council will arrange for a meeting accordingly. The recommendation was adopted. . Similar replies are to be sent to the Newmarket Borough Council and the Mount Roskill Road Board.