VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21279, 5 September 1932, Page 13

VEHICULAR FERRY SERVICE

Sir, —At tho last meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board, a suggestion was made by one of tlie members that the board should endeavour to obtain a reduction in the vehicular ferry charges. The chairman quite properly remarked that as the board's proportion of the charges was small, the matter was rather one for the Ferry Company. One way in which the board could improve the vehicular service, and one which comes within its jurisdiction, is to alter the position of the ticket office at the vehicular wharf, Devonport, so that members arriving a minute or so before sailing time are not blocked by a motorist in front of them purchasing a ticket. On Thursday morning, six motorists were held up while the front one obtained his .ticket, and had it not been for the. friendly offices of a pedestrian on the wharf, who advised the mate of the position, five motorists would have been left behind through no fault of their own. This meant that six cars arrived on the ramp after sailing time, and by the time they were all stowed, the boat was five minutes late. On two occasions lately 1 have missed the boat because a motorist in front of me had to stop and buy his ticket, whereas, had the ticket office been placed \vhere I could have passed him, I would have caught my usual boat. The captains and mates are only too willing to give motorists grace if they are delayed, but they cannot see what is happening at the ticket office. Regular travellers by tho vehicular ferry are unanimous in their praise of the ferry crews in their endeavour to give motorists the best of service, but although the attention of the Ferry Company lias been drawn to the exising disadvantages, no move seems apparent to improve matters. Takapuna.