TAXI SERVICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23353, 19 November 1937, Page 7

TAXI SERVICES

CHRISTCHURCH AREA NUMBER OF CARS REDUCED WAGES AND FARES FIXED (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 18. The number of taxi cars operating in the Christchurch transport district is to be reduced from 165 to 134. This pronouncement was made by the Metropolitan Transport Licensing Authority for the Christchurch district, which also announced its acceptance of the principle of basing fares on “cab miles ” rather than on “ passenger miles.” Directions were also made by the Licensing Authority regarding the wages to be paid to taxi-drivers and an announcement was also made that “ the system of payment by way of commission on earnings is prohibited.” The Licensing Authority held two public sittings in Christchurch, one in September and the other in October, to receive evidence and representations in favour of or against the granting of applications for passenger service licences. Eighty-four persons made application for licences in respect of 157 vehicles.

To-day’s meeting of the authority was presided over by the Mayor (Mr J. W. Beanland) and associated with him were Crs T. Milliken, J. S. Barnett and E. Parlane.

Gold Bank Taxis, Ltd., represented by Mr C. S. Trillo, which had applied for 52 licences, was granted 42 and the Rink Taxis, Ltd., which had applied for 23 licences, was granted 21. The remaining 71 licences were granted to private individuals, each operating only one taxi-cab.

The licences commence to-day and expire on March 31, 1938. The wages of drivers are to be award wages where an award is in force; otherwise, they are to be not less than £4 10s a week, plus an additional 2s for every hour in excess of 10 hours spent in driving a taxi car within any period of 24 hours during that week. The system of payment by way of commission on earnings is prohibited. ■

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT THE AUTHORITY’S OBJECTIVE’S BEST INTERESTS OF ALL (Special to Daily Times) CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 18. In a statement concerning taxi-cab fares, the chairman (Mr J. W. Beanland) said: “After careful consideration of the different fare systems, all of which seem to have substantial imperfections, this authority felt bound upon the evidence submitted to accept the principle of basing fares on ‘cab miles ’ rather than on ‘ passenger miles.’ The fares for one to two passengers are to be Is 6d for a distance up to two miles and 6d for every mile thereafter. For each passenger over two for the whole or part of the journey an additional fare of 6d is payable. This scale of fares should be acceptable to the public and at the same time should provide a reasonable rate of remuneration for licensees. It should permit the licensees and the employees to obtain a sufficient profit or earn a decent livelihood and at the same time to maintain in good order and condition an efficient modern motor cab.

“This authority has met the unanimous request of the applicants for special fares to races at Riccarton, Addington, and New Brighton, and to the Show Grounds by a special condition providing special fares for each. “We did not feel called upon to prescribe any conditions relating to the use of stands which would have the effect of altering the present system of free and open stands, nor have any conditions as to the institution or use of telephones at stands been prescribed. The licensees are. however, invited to co-operate with each other in devising some telephone system which will promote the best interests of both the motor-cab operators and the general public.” It was further stated that the Licensing Authority would be prepared to consider any generally-approved system at its proposed sitting in March, 1938.

In fixing the conditions to govern the operation of the passenger services which had been under consideration, the Licensing Authority had, it was stated by the chairman, endeavoured to impose such conditions as would when properly observed or enforced: 1. Ensure for the operators reasonable protection in earning a livelihood.

2. Eliminate some of the more patent malpractices and defects of the industry. 3. Obtain for the public an efficient passenger transport service at reasonable fares. It remained, the chairman said, for the licensees to co-operate in a proper spirit of public service, and to remove from the taxi industry some of the reproaches which in the past unfortunately appeared to have been justified. Such an attitude would benefit all parties and obviate the rigours of enforcement proceedings.