TAXI SERVICES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22839, 21 September 1937, Page 14

TAXI SERVICES

' CIYIC CONTROL PLAN HIGHER FIRST MILE FARE I CENTRAL TELEPHONE SYSTEM j PROPOSALS BY COMMITTEE Vesting by tho Government in tho City Council of complete control of tho taxi service in the Auckland metropolitan area was proposed in a report from a sub-committeo of the Legal and By-laws Committee, received at a meeting of the council last night. Other recommendations of the committee were tho establishment and control by the council of a central telephone system, a periodic survey of the number of taxi licences with a view to adjustment as changing circumstances might warrant, and amending by-law 17 br increasing the fare for the first mile'from Is to Is 6d. It was proposed that taxi companies should be aavised that failure to discontinue the telephono charge of 6d would result in immediate prosecution.

Efficient Service Essential "The taxi service in this city is growing to large dimensions, and forms an important part of the passenger transport system," tho report said. "At present any control over the taxi service which does exist is divided between a number of local bodies, which makes it impossible to obtain the coordinated and unified control which is essential. "Experience of the last few months has shown that as at present constituted the taxi service is not meeting the requirements of the public of Auckland. On numerous occasions people who requiro taxis aro unable to obtain them, or only after a long delay. The Committee's Kecommendations "We met representatives of the taxi service and asked them if they could suggest means of rectifying the position. Tho only suggestion put forward was that the fares should be raised, which means that a section of the public would be discouraged from using tho taxi services because of an increased cost. e are of opinion that, irrespective of whether tho fares should or should not bo increased, other means should and can bo devised to improve the efficiency of tho taxi service in the city. "We have recommended that an increase for the first mile bo agreed to for two reasons, firstly, that increased costs have raised running expenses, and, secondly, that some increase in the standard of living of tho drivers is justified," tho report concluded.

Further Consideration Advocated Mr. H. P. Burton suggested that, in vietf of the. drastic changes suggested, the report should be referred back to the committee for further consideration, so 'that the interests concerned might have an opportunity of placing their views before tho committee. The deputy-Mayor, tho Hon. B. Martin, M.L.C., said that, while there ■was no objection to referring the matter back to the committee, there was no doubt that drastic measures wero necessary. "I think these people have not been playing the game," said Mr. J. Purtell. He said the number of cabs had been limited, and the fares increased, but the public was not getting the service to which it was entitled. Sir George Richardson said that instructions had been given to the superintendent of traffic to take a test case in connection with tho telephone charge of 6d now being imposed. • " "I think we have enough trouble on our hands already without taking over taxi control," said the Hon. F. E. Lark, M.L.C. He considered that tho transport licensing authorities Ehould take over the question. The report was referred back to the committee.

QUAY STREET TRAFFIC RELIEVING CONGESTION SUBWAY PLAN NOT FAVOURED No further action is to be taken by the Auckland City Council in the matter of-constructing a subway across Quay Street,, but consideration is to be given to the provision of signal lights for the more effective of pedestrian traffic at the Ferry Building intersection. The Mayqr, Sir Ernest Davis, said at the meeting last night that he had arranged' an informal conference between representatives of the council, the Auckland Harbour Board, the Devonport Steam Ferry Company, Limited, ; and the Railway Department to discuss the subway proposal, and it had been agreed that tho volume of traffic using the crossroad did not warrant the construction of a tunnel. As an alternative means of meeting tho position, Sir Ernest had asked the superintendent of traffic, Mr. C. Bland, to report on the installation of an effective system of light signals. Mr. Bland had suggested :red and green lights for, the control of vehicular traffic and "Cross" and "Don't Cross" signs for pedestrians, both sets of lights to lie operated by the traffic officer on point duty. At tho suggestion of the Mayor the special sub-committee of the council was authorised to negotiate with the parties concerned on the alternative scheme recommended by the superintendent of traffic.

CEMETERY IN CITY • SYMOXDS STREET AREA

_ A plan of subdivision of tho Svmonds btreot Cemetery, in connection with tho transfer of a portion of tho area to the Auckland Beth Israel Trust Board, was approved, with minor alterations suggested by the city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, at a meeting of the City Council last night, The plan was approved provided that it was amended on tho Karangahapo Road frontage to retain a small strip at the north-western corner to widen tho path.

COLD STORAGE BUILDING INCREASED HEIGHT APPROVED Permission for the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, Limited, to make its new cold-storago building on the eastern reclamation three feet higher than the height approved by tho council last month, making a total of 83ft., was granted by tho City Council at a meeting last night. The city engineer, Mr. J. Tyler, whoso report was adopted, said that the addition of tho extra three feet would involve the companv in additional expense by providing a flat roof on the top of its office block. In addition,, tho firm was prepared to set the top storey back from the outer Avail by six feet. He recommended that permission should be granted.