THE NEW SYSTEM OF "WORKERS"

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1126, 13 May 1911, Page 3

THE NEW SYSTEM OF "WORKERS"

CARS,

Sir,— l notice in your issue of to-day's date a statement by U.o assistant onsin- ; err (Mr. M. Cable) rewarding the efiecU of the new system ol' reduced fares to *Ho° stores, inter alia, that "the most satisfactory' feature of the now system, however, has been the distinct improvement in the evening car?, during rush hour?. The extension 01 time now grauted lias lessened the rush which formerly was nude for the five o'clock worker* special?, and the relaxins of the eonsres-i-ion which previously obtained durins i'lie ru~h hours, Ins been already market and appreciated, especially by the Iliroueh passengers on the s-üburban lines." Ihe change has certainly been noted by tra\~!!ers between 5 and 6 o'clock, but I doubt very much whether it has been appreciated "by any but the workers themselves. The same workers still (ravel home from work approximately at the same time e.s they did before Hie new system came into force, the only difference being (hat whereas they formerly waited for tlio "workers'" car, now they travel by any car. It was possible to travel in something approscliiiiß comfort in any but a "workers' car" under the old system, but now it is just a matter of'luck whether one can get into a car at all between 5 and 5.30 p.m., or' whether, when you do get in, you .find-it already filled with workers. Jinny, under the oid system, were clad to pay full fare and "avoid the workers' cars, but now all travellers—men and women—mus , , toko their chance, and as often as not find themselves hemmed in !:y workers who have spent the day in stokeholds and. other similar nk'.ces, and bear unmistakcablc evidence of the fact. I should be plad to learn what the ordinary fiill-fnre-paying passenger can find to "anpreciale" in the new system. 1 should also !:o glad to learn why a man who leaves home lor his doily work before 7.30 a.m. is entitled to more consideration than one who "leaves, say, nn hour later. Many, who'start work (it 0 a.m., receive less pay than many of thosj who travel by the 7.30 ii.m. car at half-price, so where is the fairness of the present system? Moreover, why lin* tho "Tramway Department gone- out of its way to give still greater concessions to "worker.-.," and if the extra concession ■ means a loss to the ratepayers (the majority of whom havo to pay full faro on their, trams), of jjlo odd a. day, pay, .£3OOO year, who is coins to make this jjood? Certainly not the "workers" or City Councillors, or corporation deadheads. The loss must be made up by tlio general public, who will find their length of penny■ section reduced, etc., in order to enable "workers" (irrespective of the wage they cam), to travel halffare.—l am, etc., SUBURBANITE.