TOURISTS' TAXIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22580, 19 November 1936, Page 14

TOURISTS' TAXIS

TRIPS FROM AUCKLAND RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED SYSTEM OF LICENSING i > : TRANSPORT ACT INVOKED £bY TELECRArn —OWN CORREsroNdent] WELLINGTON, Wednesday New regulation of motor transport for passengers in overseas cruise ships visiting Auckland will be gazetted this week. Tlio principle of restrictive control of taxis is of national interest, in that it indicates wirier application if circumstances should be similar. "This is a matter that lias been causing a great deal of trouble recently, ; said the Minister of Transport, tho Hon. R. Semple, in an interview. "Holders of long-distance passenger-ser-vice licences, especially those running to Rotorua, havo complained of thu opposition they wore meeting from taxis in Auckland. In order to clear up the matter, i instructed the committee of inquiry into the taxi-cab and town carrying businesses to devote a special day to this question while they were in Auckland. This was done, and all interested parties were given the oppor- ■ tunity of making representations. Fixing of Limit "I am pleased to say that complete agreement wait reached," continued the Minister, "and, acting on tho committee's recommendations, I have de- ' cided to bring all taxis running beyond a radius of 75 miles from the chief post office at Auckland during the time a < cruise, ship is in Auckland under the , provisions of tho Transport Licensing A. c t "This will mean that taxis will not be able to run farther south than, say, Hamilton or Te Aroha, unless they hold passenger-service licences There'will be a corresponding restriction on northern trips. A formal wairant under section 12 of the Transport Licensing Amendment Act, 19-3 C, was signed to-day, and will be pub- > lished in this week's Gazette. Summary of Scheme

"The following is a summary of the scheme of control agreed on. and which it is hoped will provide a means of satisfying the claims of all parties in an' equitable manner, and at tho same time ensure that visiting tourists will be able to secure transportation with a minimum of trouble: — . * "(1) One central booking office will be established on the wharf on the arrival of cruise ships. This office will be controlled by representatives of tho Tourist and Transport Departments. "(2) All bookings for tours outside a 75-mile radius will be made at this office. "(3) Such bookings will be allocated first to the holders of continuous pas-senger-service licences, secondly to any taxi-cab proprietor specifically nominated to the tourist officer by the customer, and thirdly among such other taxi-cabs as are in the opinion of the Tourist and Transport Departments suitable for the work. Issue of Licences

"(4) The transport officer in attendance will issue a temporary licence to each taxi-cab which is allotted bookings. "(5) All cars to which teniDorary licences are issued will be provided with a distinctive sticker to be carried on the windshield during the whole of the trip. "(6) Jt will be an offence for any taxi-cab not bearing a sticker to travel outside the defined area, provided chat no prosecution will be instituted without the consent of the commissioner ol transport. "Steps are being taken to amend tinlicences of those continuous passenger services affected, and the necessary formalities will probably be completed by mid-day on Friday next. As the next cruise ship is due in Auckland on Friday," concluded Mr. Semple, "the new scheme will have an immediate trial, and any shortcomings that may then bo noticed will be amended as soon as possible."