TRANSPORT BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22066, 23 September 1933, Page 7

TRANSPORT BOARD

THE METROPOLITAN DISTRICT The Dunedin Metropolitan Licensing Authority held a meeting in the Council Chamber yesterday to consider applications for the issue of passenger service licenses for the district of Dunedin. Three members were present—Messrs J. A. MTndoe (chairman), W. H. Shepherd, and Dr Borrie. The chairman mentioned that the two members who were absent were Mr J. W. Munro and Mr F. Jones, who were members of Parliament. DUNEDIN-POHT CHALMERS BUSES. Application was made by the New Zealand Railways for a renewal of its road motor service Dunedin-Port Chalmers. Mr H. L. Gibson (district traffic manager) and Mr R. R. Gow (Bus Department, Railways, Wellington) appeared in support of the application. Mr T. H. Harridge (Mayor of West Harbour) and Mr W. Connor (town clerk, West Harbour) made application that the present bus fare to Ravensbourne be reduced.

In support of the application; Mr Harridge said the present bus fare was out of all reason. The railway fare to Ravensbourne was 5d return, and the bus fare to Ravensbourne was Is return. He suggested that the distance from Dunedin to Port Chalmers should be divided into six 2d sections instead of four 3d sections. If the present rates were reduced more people would travel. The buses gave an extremely efficient service, and he understood they showed a profit. Mr Connor said the distance from Dunedin to Port Chalmers was about-10 miles and from Dunedin to Ravensbourne about two miles, yet the bus fare to Ravensbourne was 6d and to Port Chalmers Is. Further, the fare from Ravensbourne to Port Chalmers was 9d. Mr Connor also said he had had a conference with Mr Gow, who had put forward a proposal for six 2d fares, but it would seem that someone above Mr Gow bad not agreed to that. Mr Gow said the proposal for six sec-

tions was a tentative one, with a view; to adjusting fares, but on further examination it was not adopted. The department had now divided the route into four 3d sections, with concession tickets. The financial results last year were far fr.om satisfactory. The new schedule would be as follows:—Dunedin to Fertiliser Works, 3d; to Burke's old station, 6d, with concession ticket of 4d; and to St. Leonards terminus, 9d, with six rides for 3s. So far as Ravensbourne was concerned, the fare might appear high, but the bus took passengers from the railway, and a large traffic could not be handled with the three buses now in use. , To reduce the fare further would not be warranted on the financial results, and on that ground the department had refused such requests in the past. The financial position at present was more satisfactory than it was some time ago, and if everything were still favourable, after a reasonable time of operating, there might be ground for further considering the matter. Mr Harridge contended that, considering the profit the buses were making, fares ought to be reduced. He theTi raised the question of using passes on Sundays. The chairman said that was a question for the Railways Department. , In answer to the chairman, Mr Connor said he had not seen the new schedule of fares, and the schedule was read by Mr R. Johnston (acting-secretary). After, further discussion about fares, the board reserved its decision. Later, the application was granted, and the application from West Harbour was not acceded to. OBSERVATION TRIP. - The Dunedin Tramway Department applied for a renewal of its license for a seasonal passenger service from the Octagon to around Otago Peninsula. The Peninsula Motor Service raised objection to the application. It was claimed that the company held the mail contract and must cover the road, that it could cope with the traffic, and therefore it was entitled to continue the service, and another license was not necessary. Mr W. H. Mackenzie, manager of the tramway department, said it was possible the company could handle all the ordinary traffic, but the department wanted a right

to run on holidays, when the company could not cope with the traffic. At a later stage, the application of the tramways department was granted, and the objection of the company was not allowed. - OTHER APPLICATIONS. Applications were also granted as follows: For continuous passenger service license from Queen’s Gardens to Harrington Point. For renewal of continuous passenger licenses from Queen’s Gardens to Portohello, via High road and deviation to Larnach Castle; and from Queen’s Gardens to Tomahawk. The applications of the tramways department for the renewal of continuous passenger service licenses on various routes in and around the city were granted.