BACK TO THE BAWBEE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19698, 26 July 1927, Page 12

BACK TO THE BAWBEE.

HALFPENNY TRAM FARES.

REINTRODUCTION IN GLASGOW.

MAXIMUM RATE OF TWOPENCE.

The halfpenny fare for tramway travel has been reintroduced in Glasgow by a decision of the Corporation. Glasgow had formerly the "bawbee fare" for a twostage distance, and it proved a great success. During the last year of its operation, in 1919-20, the halfpenny fare passengers represented 60 per cent, of the whole traffic of the city. The cheap fare was discontinued in view of the growing expenditure of the system, and efforts to restore it were always met, with opposition from the former tramway manager, Mr. Dalryinplo, who resigned last year. His successor has recommended the concession on this occasion as an experiment.

The Corpoiation was almost entirely in favour of restoration of. the facility, but there was a difference of opinion as to the distance which should be allowed for it. The Socialist party wanted the twostage distance, as in the past, but the majority favoured limiting it to one for the purposes of the experiment. The Corporation last year adopted a maximum 2d fare for long distances, enabling the passenger to travel even up to twenty-two miles for the two coppers, and this modification has proved a pronounced success, redeeming the department from a position which was threatening insolvency to one in which a fair profit on the year s operations is confidently expected.