OVERCROWDING IN BUSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19144, 9 October 1925, Page 7

OVERCROWDING IN BUSES.

Sir,—As a result of a suggestion thatthe City Council authorities were enforcing by-laws strictly against bus drivel's, whereas no action was taken against fcae tramear service for similar efiences, I notice the report in your paper that t lis was considered at a meeting of the council on Friday last. The council solemnly considered by-law 0.33, which constitutes it an offence" for a passenger to remain on a platform or on a tramear when requested by the conductor to leave. Whether wilfully or not the council did not consider by-law 960, which is as follows:—" No person or other person not; being a servant of the department shall travel on the steps, buffers, intermediate platform or motormao's or conductor's platform of any tramear or stand on the roof or sit on the outside rail on the roof or platform of any carriage." This is the section dealing with overcrowding-on teams and used to be rigidly enforced before bus competition. It is now openly broken and 110 steps taken to prosecute. If it was a necessary provision before bus competition it must be equally so now. If bus drivers are to be prosecuted for breaches of by-laws why not their competitors ? The city councillors are entrusted with the good government of the city and the enforcement of its rules and regulations equitably and fairly against all members of the community. Tim is an opportunity for the members of the council to show whether they possess those qualifications of fairness and justice which are expected from the Chief Magistrate of the city and his councillors. Mr. Thompson's remark that there was no over-crowding on tramcars is so obviously incorrect to the knowledge of every member of the public that it requires no farther comment. H. B. Anderson, Secretary, Auckland Omnibus Proprietors' Association (Inc.)