THE CITY TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23897, 26 August 1939, Page 12

THE CITY TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Two months ago the City Council adopted the recommendation of a special sub-committee that a change of policy should be effected involving the closing down of certain branch tram lines and the substitution of bus services. It has now decided to apply to the Local Government Loans Board for permission to raise a sum of £6500 for the purchase of motor buses. While the adoption of this proposal was a logical sequel to the earlier decision in respect of transport policy, it does not necessarily represent a definite step which will reflect that decision. Nor would the actual running of buses upon certain routes in lieu of trams mean a departure from the terms of the Order-in-Council governing the operation of the city tramway system. The City Council cannot remove the tramlines, should it wish to do so, without obtaining an amendment of the Order-in-Council, which it has not yet sought, and if and when it makes application for such an amendment it will be open to the ratepayers to present a petition demanding that a poll be taken on the question. Those citizens who have already signed a petition which has been presented to the Council are invited to exercise a little patience through the Mayor’s reminder that they have no statutory right to i demand a poll until the Council takes statutory steps to secure authority to alter the transport service time table and to lift the tram rails. It may appear a little odd that definite action on their part should have to be deferred till a later stage, but the ultimate result should not be affected on that account. There has been a considerable amount of controversy over the question of trams versus buses, but it does not appear to have served any very useful purpose except to demonstrate that a body of public opinion, represented chiefly no doubt in users of the services likely to be affected, is opposed to the substitution of buses for tramcars. It is probably correct to suggest that a certain amount of prejudice has coloured the discussion of the question. Those, however, who protest against change in the municipal transport policy are fully entitled to be heard. The Transport Committee of the City Council has signified its readiness 'to meet a deputation from the Citizens’ Protest Committee, and this body should welcome this opportunity of discussing the position. As a whole the ratepayers are possibly not greatly concerned about the Council’s proposals in the transport aspect. But they are bound to give their consideration to the economic aspect and to weigh against a proposed expenditure of £IB,OOO on buses, in terms of the report. which was adopted two months ago, a possible expenditure of nearly £200,000 on a reconditioning of the tramway system. And it is important that the opportunity should be afforded to the ratepayers of securing a poll on this larger issue at a date prior to any action by the City Council that might commit it and them to a new policy in respect of transport services.