CITY TAXI STANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19659, 10 June 1927, Page 12

CITY TAXI STANDS.

REARRANGEMENT ADOPTED. TWO WITH EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS. The future requirements of the taxi-cab business necessitate that all stands, with certain exceptions, should be open for the use of all licensed cabs, stated Mr. G. R. Hogari, chief traffic inspector, in a report to the City Council last evening. The council had granted exclusive stands to two companies in Wyndham and Fort Streets respectively. These companies were willing to forgo that privilege, but desired to retain the present telephones on the stands. Although a percentage of taxi-cab owners were in favour of exclusive stands, it was evident that the council would have to consider tho matter in a general way and with a view to future development. The advent of cabs fitted with taximeters had completely changed the outlook of the taxi business, added the report, and it would be inadvisable to grant exclusive stands to any company, for an inequitable position might be created by a company possessing a stand more popular to the public than another, thereby causing dissatisfaction. Further, traffic conditions might necessitate the removal of stands at any time, thereby dislocating, an established organisation. The following recommendations in respect to the position were adopted:—(l) That all taxi stands in the city area, including the Wyndham Street and Fort Street stands, but excepting the Customs Street East and West stands, be open to the use of all licensed taxi-cabs, all cabs using these stands to be fitted with taximeters; (2) that the Customs Street East and West stands bo exclusive stands for the use of the present members of the Auckland Taxi Owners' Association, conditionally that in the event of the association becoming defunct the stands will be placed on the open list; (3) that signboards be placed at the head of all stands, indicating the number of cabs to be placed thereon; (4) that the present telephone system be permitted remain at the cost of the various companies and associations, and that the council's former decision to undertake the control of the telephones on the various stands be rescinded. Tho following recommendations were adopted:—(l) That, the Wellesley Street West stand be abolished, and a new stand established on the western side of Queen Street, 200 ft. above the intersection of Wollcslev and Queen Streets, and that a feeder stand be established in Wakefield Street : (21 that stands be established in Quay Street. West on the northern side, with a feeder stand on the southern side, in Belgium Street on the eastern side, in Great North Ronrl on the southern side near the intersection with Ponsonbv Road, and in East Street on the northern side near the intersection with Symonds Street.