BIRKENHEAD BUS SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18694, 28 April 1924, Page 5

BIRKENHEAD BUS SERVICE.

Sir, —I wish to call attention to the Birkenhead bus service. On Saturday j morning, April 26, the 8 o'clock, bus left. tha Birkdale terminus with a full load and 14 persons (including three children) standing. At Baimain Road three adults were picked up. At Roseberry Avenue seven adults were waiting, four of these managed to hang on to the step and the other three were left behind. The bus {one of the old ones) is licensed to carry '21 passengers ' and this morning carried 41 persons. When asked why the old bus was sent on Saturday mornings when there is always a full passenger list, the driver said that both the new buses were over the other side, i.e. Auckland. The sole object appears to be the making of dividends, and whenever an opportunity such as a railway strike, races, etc., offers the legitimate customers of the buses, viz. the Birkenhead and Birkdale residents who have built up the present favourable position of the company do not count at all. The Bus Company has, during the past two years, built two new buses and a large garage out of revenue in addition to paying dividends for both years, and in return for steady local patronage deserts its regular And proper customers whenever a chance app<v\rs of .making a " scoop " elsewhere. This is not a solitary instance of disgraceful overcrowding. It constantly occurs, two buses are sent to inset the boat when there are sufficient passengers for three, and the other four buses are " resting." DrsGX'STicn.