REDUCING FARES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20222, 5 February 1934, Page 7

REDUCING FARES.

Proposal Before Tramway Board. PENNY A SECTION LESS. A motion before the Christchurch i ramtvay Board this afternoon that each cash section should be reduced by one penny, moved by Mr W. J. JYaltef was referred to the Works and Traffic committee for consideration and report. Mr Walter said that there had been a big decrease in the number of passengers carried over the past few years as the following table showed:

Fares in City. The people had the money in previous years and were able to use the trams. XJ??y were not using the trams now. The Christchurch fares were the highest in New Zealand. In Dunedin the fare was 1.26 pence for 100 chains, in Wellington 1.36 pence, in Auckland 1.39 pence, and in Christchurch 1.03 pence. If for instance there was a penny fare to the hospital the trams would most probably carry many more passengers on that section alone.

“ The proposal may be popular,” said Mr Walter, “ and again it may not, b.ut at least it warrants a trial.” He suggested that the Works and Traffic Committee or the general manager. Mr F. Thompson, might present a report. He felt that the experiment would be a financial success. He added to his motion that the question be referred to the Works and Traffic Committee, for consideration and report, and in that form the motion was carried. Auckland Experiment.

Mr G. Manning asked Mr Walter if he had seen the result of an experiment in Auckland. A scheme on similar lings had been tried and later abandoned.

Mr Walter said the case of Auckland was not parallel with the position in Christchurch. The problems in Christchurch were more complex. There were 45,000 bicycles in Christchurch. A voice: Sixty thousand ! The chairman (the Rev J. K. Archer) : You see you encourage cycling. Mr Manning said that he was in favour of the proposal but he wondered if Mr Walter was taking into consideration the finances of the board or if he had brought it forward for public consumption. The main thing the board had to consider was how to increase the revenue. A penny section between the city belts would be an experiment well worth trying. Analysis Needed.

Mr Mathison: Careful analysis is required before the suggestion can be adopted. The experiment was tried by the old board and failed. We cannot improve the position with a cheaper fare unless we also have a more frequent service. One is useless without the other. It was pointed out that an increase of 100 per cent in passenger traffic would be needed under the penny fare to bring in the same return as at present. Mr Mathison said that the question of a permanent reduction in fares and a more frequent service should be discussed. r The chairman: All these matters will be discussed in committee. The motion was carried.

Year. 1920 1021 1922 Passengers. 25,973,655 1923 1921 192.) 1926 25;4li!673 24,990,546 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933