NORTH SHORE BUSES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21068, 30 December 1931, Page 10

NORTH SHORE BUSES.

LOWER FARES WANTED. TAKAPUNA DISSATISFACTION. RECENT REPORT CRITICISED. Strong dissatisfaction with the report upon tho North Shore bus fares, recently presented to the Xo. 2 Licensing Authority, was expressed at a special meeting of (lie Takapuna Borough Council last, evening. In view of pressure upon the North Shore Transport Company f n r a reduction in fares tho licensing authority commissioned an independent accountant, Mr. ,T. M. Elliffe, to give an opinion as to whether the position of the company warranted a lower scale of fares. He reported that as the company had paid only one dividend, and that of 2J, per cent., since it commenced operations in 1927. a reduction in fares was not justifiable. In a general discussion the council was of opinion that the report was valueless because it did not consider the capitalisation of the company and the effect of tho lecently acquired Brown's Bay service and tho Narrow Neck run upon the operations of the company in Takapuna district. Question of Capitalisation. "When .Mr. Elliffe read his report to the licensing authority," said ihe Mayor, Mr. J. Ouiniven, "I askod why the question of capitalisation had not been taken into J consideration. lie replied that this aspect was not contained in his instructions." The position was that the company had a monopoly and had a strangle-hold on the district, added Mr. Guiniven. The company admitted people were being forced to leave Milford, yet refused to consider any suggestion which might stem the outward flow. "I cannot .shift from my opinion that if 1 lie fares to Milford were reduced, even to a small extent, the company would gain more than it would lose," added Mr. Guiniven. Mr. L. H. Titchener: The company has set out to secure a monopoly of all the bus services in the northern boroughs. Tho people are now paying to secure future profits for the company. Mr. Titchener said the time was rapidly approaching when the borough, in order to gain justice in fares, would have to iako the matter to Parliament. The ability of the people to pay should be the determining factor in fares. The problem was assuming national proportions. Trolley Buses Suggested. Mr. Guiniven: The company started wrongly. It has been amply demonstrated 'that the trolley bus system is cheaper to operate and maintain. If .this system were adopted fares could be redubed, with a consequent return of the population to Milford. The deputy-mayor, Mr. J. F. Colegrove, pointed out that the fares per bus mile were lower than the fares charged by the three largest bus companies operating on tile city side. He did not see how discussing the question at present- would bring a solution nearer. As a matter of policy it would be well to wait until economic conditions improved. After further discussion a resolution was carried, on the motion of Mr. Titchener, expressing regret concerning the report, in as much as the essential points at issue had not been investigated, and the ability of bus users to pay overlooked. A clause was added urging the company to explore the possibilities of the use of trolley buses. A copy of the resolution will be forwarded to the licensing authority and to the company.