PETROL FOR BUSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24195, 10 February 1942, Page 6

PETROL FOR BUSES

INCREASES SOUGHT EXPANSION IN TRAFFIC Two applications for increases in petrol allowances for, passenger bus services wore dealtf with at yesterday's meeting of the Metropolitan Licensing Authority. In both cases the extra strain of carrying schoolchildren .was put forward as the main difficulty. The first, from Mr. J. D. Adlam, who operates a feeder service between Upland Road and the Remuera po<st office, was a request for an increase of 12 gallons a month to enable him to make three more trips a day. After hearing the evidence in'support, it was decided that the trips "mentioned were essential, and to recommend to the Oil Fuel Controller that the request be granted. The second application was made by L. J. Keys, Limited, who were represented by the manager, Mr. J. A. S.. Keys, while several others spoke on behalf of interested parties. Mr. Keys told the meeting that since the war began his company had made as much use as possible of its Diesel-driven buses, and that 70 per cent of the mileage was by the Diesel fleet. The recent drastic reductions in petrol allowances, however, and the beginning of the school year, had increased the number of passengers considerably. The St. Heliers-Newmarket service was affected most. Before the secondary schools resumed. this run had catered for about 30 passengers, but now 160 were carried. , As a result of continued use, Diesel buses were now beginning to break down, ho said, but could not be taken off the run for long while maintenance work was carried out. Mr. A. S. Bailey said he was in complete agreement with Mr. Keys that spare parts for Diesel engines were practically unprocurable. Mr, .T. A. C. Allurn said he supported Mrs. M. M. Dreaver when she stated that the petrol position was much more serious than the public seemed to realise. "Mrs. Dreaver and I know how serious it actually is," he said. "While we have every sympathy in this case, we get such representations every day, and I am beginning to doubt if they are all true." It was decided to recommend that the application should be granted.