BUS SERVICE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 21, 25 February 1942, Page 5

BUS SERVICE

SUGGESTION OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

NO PROGRESS MADE

One of the matters reported on at Monday's meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was the suggested town bus service. The chairman, Mr C. F. Thomas, stated that the necessity for a bus service had become evident when petrol restrictions were introduced and it had been a suggestion! that this be instituted for the convenience of people living in the residential areas some distance from the town. He continued tliat investigations had been undertaken by Mr R. Morpeth with the view of arranging for a bus to make trips three or four times tlailv and perhaps in the evening from the outskirts of the borough. However, it had so far been impossible to encourage any of the bus proprietors to undertake the scheme as suggested, only one service agreeing that there was any possibility of instituting a run. This had been the Matata service the owner of which said that a trip could be made into town any time after 9.30 a.m. with the return at about 2.30 p.m. This however, did not appear that it would be satisfactory for housewives. Mr T. A. Bridger pointed out that school contracts made it. impossible for the buses to undertake such a service. What was really required was a bus which left the outskirts at about 2 p.m. and returned! at about 4 p.m. with added trips on Friday evening and Saturday morning. There were also the difficulties of license, petrol and tt would be difficult to make sue!) a service pay on fares which would be popular. The chairman sto ! :ed that with a small release of petrol to some motorists it was possible that the position might ease-. The matter was referred back to the executive council.