SIGHT-SEEING SERVICES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21164, 22 April 1932, Page 10

SIGHT-SEEING SERVICES.

EFFECT OF TRANSPORT ACT.

COMPLAINT OF ANOMALY.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

ROTORUA, Thursday.

Attention was drawn at the sitting of No. 3 Licensing Authority to Ihe effect of provisions of tho Transport Act on sight-seeing services. Tho point was raised when the Rotorua Bus Company applied for a licence to run a sight-seeing service from Rotorua to Tikitere. Counsel for tho applicant pointed out that the law demanded that a regular tinio-table be submitted and run. This was quite impossible if any such service was to bo run at a profit. On these trips no passengers were picked up either on the outward or return journey. They were purely for the benefit of those who desired to view tho various attractions along the route. There were occasions when, owing to wet weather or other causes, no passengers were available, yet under tho law the company would bo expected to run out and back with an empty bus.

Tho fact was stressed that the provision of these services was of great importance to Rotorua,-which had to rely upon popularity with tourists. It wiis suggested that tho time-table provide tor runs at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and that when two passengers were not offering, tho company have the right to abandon the trip. The authority, after consideration, decided to grant (lie licence upon the conditions that: (1) No passengers must he picked up either on 1 tie outward or inward journey, and (2) the service must be run according to a set time-table fixed for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., except that when not more than three passengers arc offering the trip may ho cancelled* The chairman also indicated that the authority would make representations to the Government upon the provisions of the Act regarding sight-seeing trips.