MOTOR OMNIBUSES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19784, 8 May 1926, Page 18

MOTOR OMNIBUSES.

NEW REGULATIONS. Til AM WAY SYSTKMS SAFEGfAKDED, (Pan United Press Association.) WIOLLIXGTON, May T. The motor omnibus regulations which come into force immediately constitute 13 motor omnibus districts, comprising areas in which there are municipally and pub-licly-owned tramways or buses, as well as private buses which compete with the former. In each omnibus district a licensing authority will be appointed by the Minister. After June 10 no motor omnibus can bo operated without a license issued under the motor omnibus regulations. A motor omnibus is defined as having searing capacity for not fewer than seven passengers, not including the driver, and carrying passengers for hire at separate fares of not more than 2s for each passenger for a single journey. There is provision for the application for and the granting of temporary licenses un*il appeals have been decided. Before the licensing authority issues a license it must consider the provision already existing for the transport of passengers to places on or over a proposed route and satisfy himself that the condition of the roads is such as to be capable of carrying motor omnibus traffic without unreasonable damage to th* roads, and that there are not sufficient other facilities for the conveyance of passengers to or from the district proposed to be served. It shall determine in respect of each application whether or not a license shall be issued; the places to or between which the motor omnibuses, if licensed, shall run; the route or routes to be followed; the fares to bo charged; the stopping place? to be observed; the time-tables to be kept; and the maximum number of passengers to be carried. If a motor omnibus proprietor is refused a license, provision has been made for just compensation. Not only is it necessary for motor omnibuses to be licensed under the regulations on the above date, but the drivers of motor omnibuses must also obtain a license under the regulations before June 10. Persons, who at the date of coming into force of the regulations, hold a driver’s license which lias been issued pursuant to the Motor Vehicles Act, authorising the bearer to drive a motor omnibus plying for hire, are not required to obtain a driver s license until after the expiration of three years from the date on which the regulations come into force. The owner of a licensed motor omnibus must keep the vehicle in safe and suitable condition for the carriage of passengers satisfactory to the inspecting engineer. With regard to insurance, the liability of the insurer in respect of death or injury to a single person may be limited to £2OOO, and the total liability of the insurer under any policy may be limited in respect of claims arising out of the same accident in the case of a motor omnibus licensed to carry seven passengers to a sum of £3500. In the case of a motor omnibus carrying more than seven passengers the sum of £3500 must be increased by a sum of £SOO for every passenger over seven, included in the maximum number. With regard to fares, the motor omnibus fare in respect of passengers carried between any places served by a tramway must be 2d more than the corresponding tramway fare. Where the motor omnibus carries passengers to or from a place not served by a tramway the omnibus fare shall not be less than the tramway fare for the portion of the journey on which passengers might have been carried by the tramway. Motor omnibus accidents must bo reported within 48 horns to the Minister. Bus licenses may be cancelled if the owner has been guilty of conduct disentitling the owner to hold a license. There is a right of appeal to an Appeal Board from any decision of the licensing authority. The Transport Appeal Board for each district consists of five members —one member appointed by the GovernorGeneral as chairman; one member appointed by the Governor-General representing the Government; one member representing and appointed by the local authority, in the district which has established the motor omnibus service, or the promoters of the tramway in the district (if more than one body is entitled to appoint a member under this provision the Minister shall decide which local authority or promoter shall appoint the member) ; one member representing the local authorities within the district not otherwise represented; and one member representing the owners of motor omnibuses within the district, exclusive of public owners. The whole of the regulations are made expressly applicable to motor omnibuses, the property of a borough or city council, except the provision with regard to insurance. The promoters of a tramway, not being a local authority operating motor omnibuses, must comply with the whole of the provisions of the regulations.