PASSENGER SERVICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 11

PASSENGER SERVICES

AUCKLAND TO FUKEKOHE APPEAL AGAINST REDUCTION RESIDENTS SUPPORT COMPANY Two appeals against a decision of the No. 2 Licensing Authority, made on Juno 12, with regard to the PukekoheAuckland motor services, were hoard before the Transport Appeal Board yesterday. One appellant sought an extension of the services, and the other asked for a reduction. Mr. Justice Frazer presided, associated with him being Mr. T. Jordan and Mr. L. Alderton. The decision of tho licensing authority was that the number of trips run by tho Auckland Provincial Motor Bus Company should be reduced. The company appealed against this on the ground that its service had already been cut down. Tho Railways Board asked that the bus services between Auckland and Papakura be reduced, the buses coordinating with tho railway at that point; also that the number of trips between Pukekoho and Papakura be reduced; and, alternatively, that the number of trips between Pukekoho and Auckland and Papakura and Auckland be reduced. Mr. Goulding represented the bus company and Mr. Aickin the Railways Board.

Mr. Goulding said the company's service had been cut down by 40 per cent. Tho trips between Pukekoho and Auckland had been reduced from 10 to six in number, and the trips between Papakura and Auckland had been reduced from 14 to eight. The service catered particularly well for workers and school children. If it were discontinued many people would have to walk from one to one and a-half miles to a railway station. It passed through a closely settled area and, if buses were taken off, a largo section of the public would not be adequately served by rail. A feeder service to Papakura would not pay. Wilfred Lor berg Wheeler, traffic manager for the Auckland Provincial Motor Bus Company, said tho curtailment of services which the licensing authority sought to impose would be exceedingly serious in so far as it would undermine the financial structure of the remaining part of the company's business. From a financial point of view a feeder service was utterly impossible. John Routly, Mayor of Pukekohe, said his council thought the public knew what transport servico was most suitable. It thought the buses should be retained.

John Thomas Stembridge, of Pukekohe, said he did not regard the railway service to Pukekohe as adequate. He thought any discontinuance of the bus service would he detrimental to the town.

Alexander Page, accountant, of Auckland, said in his opinion there would bo a serious danger of the business collapsing if the restriction were enforced. Sydney Davidson, driver employed by the appellant company, said there was much more wear and tear on the buses between Pukekohe and Papakura than between Papakura and Auckland. Joseph Kae, of Papakura, said the people of Papakura were concerned le3t they might lose any of the bus service. Ho produced a letter of protest signed bv 63 residents.

The hearing was adjourned until this morning. CARRIAGE OF GOODS CASES BEFORE AUTHORITY Further applications for licences for motor goods services were considered yesterday at a sitting of the No. 2 Licensing Authority, at which the chairman, Mr. \J. A. C. Allum, presided. v Decision was deferred in the following cases: —H. H. Charlesworth, of Auckland, for a service between Auckland and Pukekohe and Waiuku; Johnson Brothers, of Papakura, between Papakura and Hunua and Paparimu; V. J. Cleave, of Auckland, between Auckland and Hamilton; L. J. Shaw, of Auckland, between Auckland and Waihi; McClymont's Transport, Limitted, of Auckland, between Auckland and Hamilton; C. H. Frankham, of Newmarket, for transporting building materials in the authority's area.