TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26226, 9 August 1946, Page 2

TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Sir. —Dunedin certainly does not cater very much for vlstors. It Is not difficult to find out that trams start from the Exchange; their times of departure are displayed on various boards, except that of Caversham, for some reason or other. To find the times of return to the city, you take a tram to the terminus and you will find the return time table similarly displayed there. The bus service is a greater mystery,. You see buses with various destinations in different parts of the city. Whence they come you may accidentally find from a small board in some side street; the various routes are not divulged and the return times are discovered as in the case of trams. I noticed that when the Otago University representatives visited Christchurch for the Easter tournament each was given a tramway time table booklet. In Dunedin one cannot plan an afternoon’s excursion, so one stays at home. You visit the Public Library and look for a Napier or Wanganui or Palmerston North newspaper—in vain. Surely these are things that can easily be remedied, and certainly should be.— I am, etc., Visitor.

[This letter was referred to the chairman of the Transport Committee, who had no comment to offer.—Ed. O.D.T.] Sir,—l have been hoping that under new managership some very necessary changes would be made in the Caversham South road tram service—admittedly the worst in Dunedin, which is saying a great deal. This tram is the only one which does not run past the Exchange regularly, thereby making passengers pay additional fare—4d against the 3d which all others pay if one travels two sections. Why should this be so? Surely in Dunedin’s simple, elementary tram service this injustice could easily De adjusted. I say nothing of the inconvenience and loss of time involved, as that is verv obvious to 31l conc6in6d, except to mention that the No. 9 Caversham tram usually arrives at the Exchange in time to see the Normanby car (No. 2) depart. This tram does not, as a rule W Why should small cars be put cm for residents even in rush hours when IdtSo ones are sent for football patrons? The way these small cars are overloaded is both ridiculous and dangerous, and it is galling to see a large, empty car to Glen road following an overloaded Caversham one as was arranged on Wednesday at 55 p.m. Tor the use of football patrons Isttere any reason why Push bells should not be provided in all trams, as is done in all other centres instead of a cord that is well beyondthereach of at le ¥he 6o co P n e t r ro C v e e n rsy Of troney “buses versus trams does not interest to e Caversham S for years^if^e ting e'xpeTsfve butTs^refdy' t W iev ah b^es'fu h nnS e g ttS I ask ff Wellington City Corporation fnr a loan? I do not think so. Why. then, should this “ solid ’’ city Dunedin ' require to do so? After my tone experience of the unfair way Caversham residents are treated in the matter of transport I intend, as a F ate P a y® r< vote against any loan. Our rates are already far too high.—l am, etc., 2/8/46. Glen Road ’ August 8. [When the above letter was referred to the manager of the City Transport Dcnartment (Mr L. C. Greig) he stated that Ft was not possible or desirable-to have every tram running from one end of the citv to the other. Caversham passengers were no worse off than users of the cable car services who had to change travel beyond the Exchange. The charging of a penny for the additional section had always been the policy of the department. Every endeavour was made to se<that the Caversham tram connected'with the Normanby tram, but if a delay oc curred betwen Caversham and the Exchange it was not possible for the Normanby tram to wait. It was the Routes policy to use large cars on the routes carrying the greatest number of passengers' The installation of push-bells on all edrs was under consideration. [Commenting on the criticism of the trolley bus proposals. Cr J. McCrae chairman of the Transport Committee, said that Wellington was going in for only a very small scheme which did not necessitate Uie raising of a loan. Even so. its chief transport executive had spent two months in Australia investigating trolley bus services. The Auckland City Council had sent two of its transport executives to Great Britain to study trolley buses.— Ed., O.D.T.]

Sir.—Would you kindly enlighten the residents of Kew with a list of fares to and from the C.P.0.? We have been informed that one can use a red ticket from the top of Middleton road to the Post Office, and yellow ticket up. During the week my wife's mother had occasion to travel to town on the 4.30 bus, and offered a red ticket. The driver was insolent, asking her "where do you think you are going with that? ’’ She is not the only one who has had to put up with discourtesy; if these drivers don t know their jobs, at least they should be civil.—l am etc., W. T -

[Commenting on the above letter, the manager of the City Transport Department (Mr L. C. Greig) stated that Kew residents could obtain a list of fares at the transport office. The writer was correct as to the use of red and yellow tickets on the route. If the complaint had been referred to the Transport Department, it would have been investigated immediately —Ed.. O.D.T.J