EXTENSION OF BUS SERVICES WANTED FROM MURUPARA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 81, 2 May 1949, Page 5

EXTENSION OF BUS SERVICES WANTED FROM MURUPARA

“There has been some unsatisfactory comment on the passenger service between Whakatane and Murupara which only runs three days a week,” said the chairman of the Whakatane Chamber of Commerce, Mr R. T. Morpeth, last week at a general meeting. Although there was a daily service from Murupara to Rotorua this was not satisfactory to Whakatane, he added.

There had been some rumours that a private bus company was considering running a service on the other days.

■Whakatane Life Lines The area to Murupara was one 1 of the life lines of Whakatane, Mr H. G. Warren declared. There was much land to be developed and if the businessmen of Whakatane ignored the area it would be their loss. He thought it should be opened up and it would only be opened up by access. Previously, he added, the Road Services had tried to run an improved service but were unable to do so because it would not pay. “I think the Government should be prepared to run a service, even at a loss to help open and develop the area,” Mr Morpeth declared.

Private Bus Service The possibility of a private service being used was raised but there was some doubt whether a licence would be granted. Two different services running over the same route did not seem economic, Mr Morpeth pointed out. The manager of the local Road Services Branch, Mr T. G. C. Davie, pointed out the many difficulties. Unless concrete figures were available as to passenger traffic he did not think there was much chance of extra services. Poor Eating Houses

Mr C. Hudson said he had been told by farmers at Murupara that they would rather shop at Whakatane but objected to the eating houses, which, most of them considered were very poor and inadequate. After further discussion it was decided to apply to the Road Services for an extended service to and from Murupara.