“Thou Shalt Not... ”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 565, 18 January 1929, Page 8

“Thou Shalt Not... ”

TRANSPORT BOARD’S BY-LAWS Regulations for Tramcar Users TAKEN as a whole, Auckland's thousands ol tramcar users are a quiet, well-behaved lot. The fundamental principles of good citizenship govern their habits, and departures from orderly routine are conspicuous by their paucity. Behind the system are clearly-defined regulations for passengers. These have been submitted for the approval of the Transport Board and will be considered at its next meeting.

M OST people would be prepared to assert, off-hand, that they are perfectly familiar with the regulations. This is probably true in respect of such edicts as “Do not alight while the car is in motion,” and “Tickets must be submitted for inspection on demand,” while “Seven standing when full inside” is a time-honoured jest. But there are other clauses in the proposed regulations which will be strange to casual John Citizen. It is necessary that he should give them attention. Provided that the regulations are passed by the board, It will be illegal

for passengers to while away their journeys by playing a musical instrument. Not that this Is a common practice; on the contrary, the very Idea would be abhorrent to 99 per cent, of Aucklanders. Nevertheless, provision must be made for the jovial hundredth. Similarly it will be quite out of order to play any game or gamble during a journey. People with dirty clothing will be asked to leave a tramcar and must depart at once. It will be against the regulations to place one’s feet on the seat in front or to deface the car by any similar- means. Needless to_ say, persons suffering from any contagious disease will not be permitted to enter.

All regular tramcar users must have suffered, at some time or other, the wretched embarrassment of finding, that they have embarked upon journeys without as much as a penny in their pockets. Realisation is followed usually, by precipitate departure at the next stopping place. To the assistance of these forgetful ones comes Clause 36, which says: “Any passenger wlio is unable to pay the correct fare shall give to the conductor his or her name and address, and shall forward the fare owing to the head office of the board within three days.” It is provided that a surcharge of 3d will be made if there is

any delay beyond that time. The new regulations state that no person shall take into a tramcar parcels or luggage exceeding 141 b. In weight. Parcels and luggage not exceeding 2Slb. will be carried on the rear platform, but must be paid for at passenger rates. Push carts will be carried free of charge with an adult passenger, excepting during certain defined rush hours. It is illegal to board a tramcar at any place other than the authorised stopping place, and persons must not attempt to enter while those inside are wishing to alight. This is one of the few common faults, and the regulation should be noted particularly. •‘No person other than a passenger or intending passenger shall hold, or hang on to any part of a tramcar,” is another regulation of a purely com-mon-sense kind.

Rules of general conduct are many, and every unruly emergency is provided for. Violent pushing or forcing is not allowed, and a queue must be formed when a conductor so desires. Payment of fares must be made whether or not a request is made by a conductor. This tilts at the cunning individual who assumes an air of nonchalant disregard when the conductor elbows his way through the tramcar, clicking his punch with suggestive insistence. Passengers will be obliged to furnish all information about their trips—where they boarded the tramcar, and where they propose to alight—-when a request is made. They must supply their names and addresses if sufficient reason is given; for instance, at a time when witnesses of an accident or disturbance are required. The distribution of advertisements, notices and tracts will be forbidden, while begging of alms or donations is also against the rules. It is unlawful to sell anything on a tramcar. There is a clause to curb the possible desires of amateur acrobats or daredevils. This makes it clear that travelling on the steps, buffers or roof of a tramcar is forbidden. Certain citizens are entitled to receive passes. authorising them to travel free of charge on vehicles under the control of the board. These include members of the board, and those who have suffered the loss of a leg or are blind, as a result of service in the Great War. Until midnight on the first Wednesday in May of this year, Auckland City Councillors may travel free of charge. It is proposed that the regulations come into force on February 12. In effect, they are similar to tramcar regulations in force in the various cities and towns throughout the Dominion, although practically every centre has certain rules devised to suit local opinions and conditions. For instance, in Dunedin it is provided that all children travelling on half or special concession fares must surrender their seats to persons paying full fares if no empty seats are available. Authorities in other centres favour the system of training passengers to board the car at one end and alight at the other. It is claimed that this prevents loss of time. When the new Auckland regulations come before the Transport Board, members will be faced with ten foolscap sheets, each closely typed. The clauses contained therein number 40, and constitute a rule-book for passengers that should reply to every query and meet every emergency.