HIGHER FARES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23425, 15 August 1939, Page 11

HIGHER FARES

.WEEKLY TICKETS TWO BUS SERVICES EFF&TS OF PETROL TAX INCREASES AUTHORISED . . :: Increases in the price of weekly concession tickets obtainable on the services of two important motor-bus operators in the city and. suburb* . were authorised by the Auckland Metropolitan Licensing Authority at a meeting yesterday. Both operators stated that the higher fares were :aecessary on account of the increase of 4d a gallon in the tax on petrol, but it was stressed that the additional revenue received would be equal to only a portion 1 of the increased annual costs occasioned by the rise in the price of petrol. The services concerned comprise those operated by Transport Bus Services in conjunction with the traraways, nnd by Suburban Buses, Limited. The increases in the weekly cost of tickets vary from 3d to 9d. Transport Bus Services' new fares will operate from August 21 and Suburban Buses' fram September 4. Cost to the Operators "The increase of 4d a gallon in tlio cost of benzine will mean an annual increased expenditure of approximately £560," stated Transport; Bus Services in a letter to the authority. Through increased rates for weekly concession tickets it was estimated that £2lB could be found. Economies in clerical, and garage staif would save £2OB, leav- -i>*s ing £135 to be met by the partners in the service. .. According to a schedule submitted by the operators, the new scale of prices would be as follows, the weekly saving over the total cost of 12 single tjekets bought for cash being; also shown.— Weekly Saving on Old New 12 Cash Rate Rate Fares sds d s d Blockhouse BayCity ..4 6 6 0 4 0 Blockhouse Bay- • Pitt St. .. 4 0 5 0 4 0 Hosebank Rd.-City 4 8 5 0 3 0 Avondale-City .. 4 3 - 4 0 2 6 Three Kings-City 4 3 4 6 2 6 Waikowhai-City .5 3 5 6 3 6 Saving to Regular Passengers It was pointed out that even with the increased rates the weekly tickets would still mean a considerable saving to regular passengers. Owing to the increased rates, it was estimated that about 7J per cent of the passengers would find other means of transport. After hearing evidence submitted by the manager of Transport Bus "Services, Mr. T. H._ Bonnett, the_ chairman of ' the authority, Mr. W. H. Nagle, said there was no option but to grant the application for increased fares. Mr. J. A. C. Allum said lie wished it to be made cleair that the full amount of the tax was not being passed on. " J On the motion of Mr. Nagle the increases were sanctioned, p r , . Another Company's Fositidh In a similar application, Suburban Buses, Limited, stated that up to the present the company had carried additional expenses due to increases in wages, extra holidays, shorter hours and a share in the cost of the Transport Terminal. With the extra cost of petrol, it was impossible that the company should do other than pass a slight increase on to the public. The proposed new fares, with existing rates in parentheses, were as folloWS 4

Workers' Weekly Tickets. —To Papapa to City, os (,4si 5)d); Te Papapa to Symonds Street, Tawa Road to City,''4s 9d (4s 6d): Te Papapa to Newmarket, Tawa Road to Symonds Street, Horotutu Road to City. 4s 3d (4s). . Concession Fares. —Te Papapa to City, 6s 9d (6s); Te Papapa to Symonds Street, Tawa Road to City, 6s (5s 6d); Te Papapa to Newmarket; Tawa Road to Symonds Street, Horotutu Road to City, 5s 6d (os) • Te Papapa to Market Road, Tawa Road to Newmarket, Horotutu Road to Symonds Street, Atarangi Road toVpity or Te Papapa, 4s 6d (4s 3d). No Increase in Cash Fares For the company, Mr. V. N. Hubble said that while the increased fares, would bring in between £4OO and £450 in additional revenue, the extra tax oii petrol would result in costs_ rising by between £6OO and £7OO. No increase was sought in cash fares. f . Evidence for the company was given by Mr. E. D. Wilkinson,: accountant, and Mr. F. Coe, managing director, the latter pointing out that if increased fares were not permitted the company would lose on tlie year's working. ;® •. In moving that the application be granted, Mr. Nagle said a scrutiny of the company's balance-sheet confirmed all that had been said On the company's behalf. The resolution was carried. ' When the authority met later as the Auckland Transport Board a report was received showing that as a result of the higher tax on petrol the board would be involved iri an additional expenditure of £'225 a year in servicing its trucks, tower waggons, motorcars and other internal combustion engines. The number of gallons of petrol used annually was approximately 13,488. OTHER COMPANIES' STAND n6 move yet made MEETINGS IN NEAR FUTURE No move lias yet been made on the part of a number of the major passenger bus concerns in Auckland to raise the fares as a result of the increase in petrol tax. Meetings, are planned for the near future to discuss the matter. , o, In the case of the .North _ Shore Transport Company, "which is the largest bus company in Auckland, operating a fleet of 44 vehicles, half of which have Diesel engines, the management expects that the increase in operating costs for the next year will be about £IBOO. Keys' buses, operntmgon the -waterfront' road, are expected to cost an additional £I2OO a year to rim. The company has decided to carry the extra, burden * until the end of the 'financial year, when the position will be reviewed. ' A third largo operating concern, the Passenger Transport Company, has set the extra cost brought about by the increased petrol tax at £I3OO a year for its fleet of 30 vehicles. At present the company does not intend to pass the cost on to the public if it can possibly avoid such action. It will, however, bo associated with the meetings planned. The financial year of the company ends in November.