OTAGO PENINSULA DEVELOPMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22546, 13 April 1935, Page 7

OTAGO PENINSULA DEVELOPMENT

PENINSULA MOTOR COMPANY'S NEW COMFORT COACH From Summer holiday resorts, the harbourside townships are gradually developing into very desirable residential suburbs, and the Peninsula Motor Company has materially assisted this development by its frequent and efficient service and its comfortable buses. With the provision of an adequate water and drainage system, Macandrew Bay in its sunny, sheltered position, within approximately twenty minutes of the city, should become one of Dunedin's most popular suburbs. The splendid bitumen road skirting the harbourside as far as Portobello provides a smooth running surface for one of the finest scenic drives in the Dominion. The roadside planting of trees and shrubs commenced last year will further enhance the interest and attraction of this beautiful drive. In ten years of operation Peninsula Motor Service buses have travelled over 2,033,000 miles and have carried over 2,200,000 passengers without any accident involving serious personal injury. This record is a tribute to the care and skill of the drivers and garage staff. The terms of the Company's route licenses include the licensing authority of fares and time tables, also annual inspection of vehicles, which must be maintained in such condition as to comply strictly with regulations under the Transport Licensing Act. It is the endeavour of the Company to provide a frequent and convenient service at reasonable fares. One of the principal items of expense in transport operation is taxation, which in this comparatively small concern reaches a total annual payment of £1446 8s Bd. made up as follows: Petrol tax £983 6 8 Heavy traffic license fees 303 9 0 Tyre tax 85 13 0 Route license fees .. .. 15 0 0 Inspection fees .. .. 29 15 0 Vehicle license fees .. .. 29 5 0 A reduction of this heavy burden of taxation may be expected in the near future, and savings thus effected will be passed on to the public through lower tares.

The latest addition to Peninsula Motor Service fleet brings the total number of buses in operation to ten, with a total seating capacity of 214. Since its inception in 1924 this progressive transport concern has steadily improved its service and efficiency and has endeavoured to provide its passengers with the latest developments in bus design. The new fullforward control, streamlined, 25-seater vehicle embodies the most up-to-date ideas in omnibus construction, and sets a new standard in attractive appearance and passenger comfort. In addition to running on regular service on the main route to Macandrew Bay, Broad Bay, and Portobello, the new safety coach will be used for special charter trips and on the popular run to Larnach Castle.*