TAXI FARES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23885, 12 August 1939, Page 7

TAXI FARES

' ME'IfER SYSTEM URGED RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL REPORTS OF COMMITTEES A change from the present system of computing taxi fares to the meter system is heralded in the report of the general committee of the Dunedin City Council which is to be presented to Monday evening’s meeting of the council. The committee reports having considered representations from the Otago Taxi Proprietors’ Association with regard to the need for amending the existing scale of fares. “It has been recognised for some time that the method of charging now in operation which is on the basis of separate,minimum and maximum fares for each of five separate areas or zones within the city, does not now meet requirements,” the report states. “The system which has grown in recent years of establishing taxi depots in suburban areas has tended to reduce the effectiveness of the zone charge and render its application difficult and even impossible in many cases. Apart from that aspect, its most serious defect is that it has failed to establish a uniform charge in the industry, with the result that fare variations and fare cutting are in evidence. “ The industry is anxious that the position should. be rectified as soon as possible and;! With' the committee, is of the opinion that ! the only method which offers the fullest possible protection against abuse._ both to the hired and to the hirer, is the method of charging by meter. The committee therefore recommends that at the earliest possible date, steps be taken to pass a by-law abolishing the present system of charging and substituting the meter system. Under the latter system, a flat rate fare would be fixed for either time or distance hirings, and such fare would , operate as both minimum and maximum. “ The proposed by-law would also provide that meters should be installed by owners in all taxis not later than December 1.” In the meantime, with the object of correcting existing anomalies as far as possible pending the introduction of the meter system, the committee recommends that the existing zone fare schedule be rmended as follows: — . . Existing. Pares.—Zone A, minimum and maximum, Is 6d; B, 2s and 2s 6d; C, 2s 6d and 3s; D, 3s and 3s 6d; E, 3s :6d arid 4s. Proposed Fares, (to operate as both a minimum and maximum charge). —Zone A, Is «d; B, 2s 3d; C, 2s 9d; D. 3s 3d; E. 3s 9d. A formal resolution in terms, of the city by-laws to give effect to the above change in fares will be submitted, direct to the council.

transport Arrangements The report of the Tramway Committee advises that a request was received from the organiser of the Group Travel Association formerly in Christchurch asking the council’s Transport Department.to undertake the transport by buses for the Otago district of parties- organised by the association. The proposed scheme had; the support of the Government through the Minister ,of Internal Affairs as chairman: ,ci£ the~ National Council of' and 1 Recreation.- The had been acceded to, and C t Gibson and the tramway manager had been authorised to attend a preliminary meeting, held in Christchurch, on ..August 3, The various transport concerns co-opted by the association in various parts of the Dominion were required to contribute ah annua] subscription of £25, and authority to make that subscription had also been granted. Decreased Transport Receipts The statement of the tramway manager on the traffic receipts for the; fortnight ended July 29 showed a considerable fall in revenue due entirely to the, snowstorm experienced in the city. It was estimated that the actual loss in revenue over all lines was £9OO. The position from April 1 to July 29 (17 weeks), conipared with the same period last year, showed a total decrease in revenue of £I9OO, or 3.03 per cent. The. revenue and expenditure statement for the 12 weeks ended June 22 showed a loss over the whole of the transport services of £4lO. Gas Records The exceptionally wintry conditions experienced in the city during the] end of July caused a heavy demand for gas, states the report of the Gas Committee. The output on Monday, July 24. was a record for the department, the consumption reaching a total of 1,266,000 cubic feet for the 24 hours; but this figure was exceeded on the following Monday, July 31, when the output reached a total of 1,289,000 cubic feet. For the week ended July 29 the, increased output compared with the corresponding period last year was equal to 9 per cent. Warrants of Fitness The report of the chief traffic inspector discloses that 561 warrants of fitness were issued at the testing station during July, and that of the 686 cars submitted for first inspection, 314 were rejected. Street Names In view of the fact that the formation of streets in the Department of Housing Construction’s subdivision at Calton Hill and at the education block, Wakari, is now being proceeded with, it is necessary that names should be fixed for the new streets, and the following are recommended for approval;— Calton Hill Subdivision.—The through road connecting Riselaw road and Ryehill street, Waimea avenue; the short cul-de-sac at the north-west end, Ngaio street; the cul-de-sac at the south-east end Rona street. The Wakari Education Block.— The street connecting Lynn street with Balmacewen road, which is 'really a continuation of Chapman street, to be named Chapman street, and the cul-de-sac off this throughroad to be named Burt street.

Instructions to Engineer

The city engineer has been instructed to proceed with the construction of two chains of kerb and channel on the east side of Aotea street. The estimated cost of £24 is chargeable to the Loan Works He has been instructed also to arrange for the installation of a street light alt Marewa street and for the, alteration of one light and the installation of two new lights in Elgin road. v . „ 4 " Picturesque Dunedin The Finance Committee recommends the approval of a special grant pf £45 tc» the Otago Expansion

League toward the cost of providing a new edition of “ Picturesque Dunedin.” The league proposes to forward a large number of copies of this book to the Otago court at the Centennial Exhibition for the purpose of advertising the city and province.

water sewer in Tahuna road and the construction of 10 mudtanks. The estimated cost of the work is £913, which will be taken from the item for unforeseen expenditure in the allocation for the current year He has been instructed also to. proceed with the construction of a new No. 1 mudtank in. Hart street, near the intersection of Alison crescent, at an estimated cost of £ls chargeable against the item for mudtanks in the current year’s allocations.

Drainage Works

The drainage engineer has been instructed to proceed with the laying of 1475 feet of nine-inch, storm-