FARES ON THE DUNEDIN-PORT CHALMERS LINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22713, 28 October 1935, Page 13

FARES ON THE DUNEDIN-PORT CHALMERS LINE

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—lll the Daily Times of Saturday you print a copy of a letter sent to the Railways Department by Mr Middleton, on behalf of the Burkes-St. Leonards Progressive League, expressing dissatisfaction with the existing rail and bus fares. As the Burkes residents use Maia station, the complaint about the rail fare docs not concern them. The cheaper bus fare of sixpence to Burkes was given to the residents to redeem a promise made when the station was moved, that in the future, in some way, the residents of Burkes would be recompensed for its loss. Although the league must have been aware of that promise, the Burkes residents paid the excessive fare of ninepencc for several years—a matter about which the league concerned itself not at all. Upon the institution of the bus service the department decided to redeem that promise, and give Burkes a fare reduced to sixpence, thus making up in some degree for the injustice done when the station which had served the residents for 60 years was removed. The Burkes residents were extremely gratified at this net of the department, and have been well satisfied ever since. Indeed. I may go further and say that no complaints at all arc to be beard at this end of the district. T do not wish to be misunderstood. Nothing is further from my mind than an objection to the reduction of fares for onr St. Leonards neighbours. On the contrary, cheaper fares in any district are an aid to its progress. But if the St. Leonards fare is reduced to sixpence, then to keep faith with that promise the Burkes fare must be reduced in proportion—a matter which the league does pot mention. Burkes residents have no complaints whatever to make about the bus service as it is run at present. Indeed, they remember with pleasure the gratifying consideration tiie department has given to their needs in the past.—l am, etc., Burkes Resident.