THE BUS SERVICE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 12 June 1926, Page 6

THE BUS SERVICE.

To the Editor of the “Timaru Herald Sir, —During the past few weeks 1 have read with much interest the dii ferenfc views expressed re the omnibus question in Timaru. It is very regretable in some instances to see the opinions jumped- at without careful consideration by sosnc of the prominent men of some of our local public bodies. \\ o can excuse * the ladies of the Women.' Citizens'Association in their views or., the matter,* but wo can hardly see- how sensible men like we have on the Ghani- ! ber of Commerce should go against I their own interests, and against the 1 | Borough Council and side with - outI siders or private enterprise. -T was pleased to see that there were a few of the members of the Chamber of Goiinneico | who had gone into the matter witiv reason ana had held out for then.rights although they were in the minority. Now in the first place, wo know, that the municipal buses belong to us,, and if thev do not pay their way, we. have to pay for them out of the rates. Of course wo all know that opposition is the life of trade, and we all like liash buses to ride in, but wo must look at the matter in a business-like manner;. The Council is at present about to spend practically £IO,OOO on the bus service, which ought to make the service a very up to date one indeed. Now. what happens? AVe have the opposition to compete with which will take the bulk of tlie profit, as it.will only run ■on the best routes. The’Conn oil vyilf. then cither have to run their bus service at a loss of hundreds perhaps, thousands of pounds per year, or else!’ the loss will bo so great that the Council buses will have to give up bust,, ness altogether and leave it to private enterprise;' But what happens then. The ■'private-owned bus wilL take the’ creaiii And leave the skim milk. It will only run at the bouts •.when- it gets, the best loads, and will also oidy run on the routes which pay best. People ouvtho poor,paying routcs.-jvill have to. walk, and private . enterprise will ‘not worrv about complaints. The municipal bus can run for the convenience of the pcbple-wliether it shows a profit or not, whereas the private owned bus must run for one’ object' only, that is to make money. Sir, this is my opinion oil the omnibus question in Timaru- and ] hope there will be more opinions cxi pressed on this subject through your :s columns before the Chamber of Commcrco and The Women Citizen’s Assoc--1 iation forward their, resolutions to the. Government. —I am, etc., _ COMMON SENSE.

To the Editor of tlie. “Timani Herald.” Sir, —With regard to the buses, I think’the opposition have awakened the Borough Council up to the fact that the people must be catered for. How many times have wo asked for a bettei service, cheaper tares, or concession tickets and Sunday service, but all wore ignored until opposition started. Many • a time I have taken tlie last new bus ' belonging to the Borough Council, i when'it has been more than an inch deep with water, and as we went up or downhill so went the water, and anyone having light shoes on, had to keep them well ofF the floor,. and when the conductor was spoken too, about it said tho holes were stopped up. Should they not have been cleaned out propolv before leaving the shed? Anyhow I think a little more opposition would not do Timaru any harm. 'Mr E. Porter was saying at sonifi meeting that he thought tho ’bus service was alright. .Well, Sir, Mr Porter lives, I believe, in Bidwcll Street, and therefore does not uso the bus, but the people living at a distance, know hotter. —I am etc., RATEPAYER.