PUBLIC OPINION

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12424, 19 April 1926, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION

KARORI TRAM SERVICE (To the Editor, “N.Z. Times.’*) Sir, —We have heard quite a lot about a new tram route to Karori, and the pros and eons of various alternatives which have been proposed from time to time, but it seems to me that there is a more important aspect of the Karori tram service which has received little or no publicity. I refer to its total inadequacy. I am not a resident of Karori yet, but I use the service regularly and at varying times, and it has been borne in upon me that it is purely the shortsighted policy of the council which is accountable fox* the popular and increasing use of the ’bus. Trams are crowded, unbearably so. On a recent Saturday coming into town I found myself on the rear platform of a tram in th* company of twelve adults, two children and a perambulator. Most amusing no doubt, but most uncomfortable. But even then I was not so uncomfortable as those poor unfortunates whom we left standing disconsolately at each tram stop as the car whizzed by without stopping. All this tends to show that tiGt only does Karori require a new route, but it requires a new service. Certainly there is a ’bus service at present, but it is negligible as far as the main body is concerned. What I want to point out, is that the public will onlv stand it for* so long, and then in tne event of a real ’bus service starting the trams will find themselves in serious competition with private firms. After all it is the ratepayer who pays for the tram, and he pays whether the service pays or not, so why not have an adequate service? —I am, etc., W/R.