PASSENGER SERVICE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 78, Issue 7015, 4 February 1949, Page 4

PASSENGER SERVICE

EXTRA RUN SOUGHT CASE BEFORE TRANSPORT AUTHORITY The first case that engaged the attention of the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr E. J. Phelan), yesterday in the Te Awamutu Courthouse, was an application of Lewis Hodgson, Motor Services, Ltd, to extend their Arapuni-Te Awamutu service to Putaruru on Friday nights only and to amend timetable and fares to Putaruru and Parawera.

Mr P. S. Page appeared for the applicants; Mr H. A. Swarbrick for Mason, an operator who runs an Arapuni-Putaruru service and who opposed the application; and Mr W. J. Andrew, who appeared for the Railway Department, and who also opposed the application. Mr Page in opening the case for Hodgson’s, said that that firm were already running a service between Te Awamutu and Arapuni, and they had received numerous requests from residents of Arapuni to run a service on Friday nights to Putaruru, such service if granted would work in with the firm as their vehicle which served the Te Awamutu-Arapuni run was garaged at the latter place, and the driver lived there. Hodgson’s were not anxious to run the service, and they realised that they would be running over the same route as Mason, and the New Zealand Railway’s Road Services; but the requests made by residents of Arapuni for the service prompted them to make the application. Later they approached Mr Mason who said that he would be getting a large bus, but up to the present, such was not forthcoming, said Mr Page, who went on tb say that Hodgson’s sole desire was to give the service asked for, and not to interfere with any returned serviceman or anyone else.

W. G. Milgate, secretary-manager, gave evidence along the lines given by Mr Page, in his opening address. Mr Milgate stressed the fact that his firm did not desire to put a returned serviceman off the road, but they were forced by the number of requests made for such a service to make application. When the Authority asked if the proposed new run would be a financial success, Mr Milgate said that they would be prepared to try it. Cross-examined by Mr Swarbrick, Mr Milgate said that the drivers had been approached by some people for the service but when pressed to give the number, witness could nut definitely say what number was concerned. Mr Swarbrick: “So what you are saying is not really evidence at all. It is merely hearsay.” Mr Milgate said that if Mason put on a bus, Hodgson’s would be satisfied.

In reply to Mr Andrew, witness said he realised that they would be running over the same route as the Railway Road Services. Nicholas Lloyd, an employee of the Arapuni Hydro-Electric works said he was the secretary of the Public Service Association in Arapuni, and they supported the application. The majority of the workers had to lose a day’s work so as to do the necessary shopping. There were only 30 shift workers out of a total of 100 workers employed at Arapuni. If there was a Friday night service it would obviate their losing time. The members of the association had had a meeting, and the members were unanimous in supporting an application for a Friday night sedvice. They were not concerned as to who would provide the service, so long as they got it at reasonable charges. To Mr Swarbrick, Mr Lloyd gave it as his opinion that fifteen to twenty people would use the service every Friday night. A lot of men lost time in making trips to do shopping. Mason’s service was primarily a mail service and the timetable did not suit. Witness estimated the population of Arapuni at 400. Mr Swarbrick said that Mason ran a service six times a day, while the Road Services ran twice weekly. Mr Lloyd in further evidence said that the return fare of 5s was out of reach of many residents. If they had a bigger bus,*more people could oe carried and a better service would result. Witness said he realised that the driver would have to be paid overtime.

Mr Swarbrick before calling Mr Mason, said that the service ran by his client was the only one justified by the number of people concerned. Cecil Brough Mason, gave evidence to the effect that he was running three return trips a day between Arapuni and Putaruru. Mail was only carried on the 11a.m. run. He did not think that the number of passengers available * would justify the service asked for, but if necessary he would be prepared to give it a trial. He was an ex-serviceman.

The Authority said that one of the objects in giving licenses was to give service to the people. Mr Phelan said he was impressed by some of the evidence and he thought that the people would patronise the service. Mr Mason said he would be prepared to give it a trial.

Mr Andrew said that the Railway Department did not want to interfere with the interests of the small man.

At this stage Mr Mason asked to be allowed to make an application to the Authority for a license to run the service for three to six months, as a trial.

In reserving decision the Authority said he would discuss the matter with parties concerned, and perhaps they might be able to arrange a special fare.

The application to amend the time table to Parawera was granted.