HIGHER TAXI FARES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21781, 21 April 1934, Page 12

HIGHER TAXI FARES

EFFECT OF INCREASE BUSINESS WOULD DECLINE VIEWS OF OWNER-DRIVERS Strong opposition to any increase in tlie present taxi fares boing forced upon tlieni as tlio result of control by the municipal or other authority was expressed yesterday by a number of owner-drivers. They wore of the opinion that any substantial increase would result in a falling off in the volume of business being dono. These views were occasioned by the announcement that the Auckland City Council would soon havo beforo it definite proposals for the fixation of faros and the limitation of the number of vehicles oporating. "This proposed interference by the counoil is absolutely unnecessary, and has never at any time been sought by the owner-drivers or the companies," said one man, "I think it can bo said that the majority of owner-drivers are against council control, and wo are certainly against increased fares, for we know that the public in the present circumstances will not pay more and we do not expect them to.-' It was the opinion of some of the mon that increased faros would reduce the number of runs by about twothirds. While the trips actually made would bo more profitable, there would not be enough of them to return the operators as much as they were getting now. It was inevitable that some of the owners would have to go off the road if the scale of maximum and minimum fares proposed by the chief traffic inspector were adopted. Suburban Residents Penalised

In any case, it was pointed out, the taxi man did not huvo tq consider oidy the fares obtained in the city area. On the scales proposed the suburban resident, who had acquired the habit of using the convenient taxi, would bo penalised. At present the fares charged are Is for one mile, Is 6d for two miles, 2s for three miles, and 2s 6d for four and five miles. There has been one proposal for a uniform fare that would work out at Is por mile, and would therefore mean an increase of 100 per cent to tho suburban resident undertaking a five-mile journey. The scalo suggested by the ohiof traffic inspector Mould bo slightly higher than the Is a mile rate. "Every taxi driver knows that if ho could get a shilling a mile he would not only make a living, but would do very well," one owner-driver said yesterday. "HoweVer, we know that the public in theso days cannot afford to pay a shilling a mile, and if the fares arc raised it will simply mean that fewer men will he able to operate. Under the existing scale we are mak-* ing a livjng—jnst a living—but still it is a living in a job wo prefer. Whilo conditions are as at present, that seems about all a man can hope for. Of course, when times are better people are ready to pay more, but it is no use putting up the fares until tho better days arrive." Fewer Short Runs

One danger of an increase of fares as seen by somo of tho mon is that people who now use taxis for short journeys because of the reasonable rates would not consider this form of transport at tlm fares suggested. It was mentioned that a considerable business was done in running people short distances to and from the ferries, as well as to the railway station, and it was feared that much of this business would be lost. A strong protest against any proposal to increase the present fares or to set any legal minimum in excess of the present company rates is being forwarded to tho Auckland City Council by the Atta Taxi Company as the result of a meeting of the owner-drivers associated with the company, held on Thursday evening, when it was agreed that present conditions did not warrant any increase in fares, In the course of a letter which the manager of the company, Mr. G. H, Rodger, has forwarded to the City Council, it is stated that the 70 owner-drivers comprising the company desire to protest against the council approving of a by-law that will jncreaso tho fares, and desire that the company be permitted to continue charging the existing company fares. Reasonable Living and Profit

"Our owner-drivers unanimously state that on the present charges thay are able to earn sufficient to provide a reasonable living and a reasonable profit. Further, it is considered that the present time is inopportune to impose any increase of fares on the public," adds the letter, copies of which are also to be forwarded to the Chamber of Commerce and interested local bodies. Early this year a proposal that the City Council should assume the ownership, control and operation of all taxi telephones in the city as a means of remedying conditions in the service was rejected, and it was then decided to seek legislation empowering the council to limit the number of taxicabs licensed and to fix minimum and maximum fares. This power was contained in the amendments to the Municipal Corporations Act last year, under which the council is now acting.