INCREASED TRAM-RUNNING CHARGES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3118, 23 June 1917, Page 3

INCREASED TRAM-RUNNING CHARGES

PfiOTEST I-'BOSI JILR-AMAK. The Miratuar Borough, through iU Mayor (ilr. i ; \ Toivnsemi), lias protestwl to the Wellington City Council against the increase in the charge for running the tramcars in the borough. It .was pointed out in the Mayor's letter that the present charge of Is. per car,mile already returned a. profit to the city. No doubt the tramway expenses had risen owing to the war, but since the year ended March 31, 1916, the difference between tho. running costs in the third year of war and those in tho second wouJd be found to be very Bmall, and tho margin between the charge and the cost of operation would bo more than sufficient to make yp thie amount. It had been shown that the total working expenses on all the city lices averaged 10.241 d. per car mile, but included in that average were several items which do not concern the Miramar Borough and others for which Miramar had alwaye paid in addition to the city's charge. Tho borough is also called on to maintain its own permanent way and overhead cuuipmeut, and it also bears tho cost of lighting the trade ana of tho printing of its own tickets. There aro included in tho total city figures of 10 2i]d. several expenses n, very small portion only of which is incurred in tho borough, as, for example, fuel, light, etc., for waiting sheds, insurance, etc. Summarising flic position, Mr. lownsciul points out that deducting from the total working expenses on city Hues certain.expenses no part of which was incurred in the borough, and averaging l.l'Jfid. per rar mile, and adding capital charges equal-to t.320d. per car mile, the fotal cost on Iho borouKh lmce works out :\L 10.365 d. per car mile. "It will bo seen, states tho letter, "that m nuiking a charso of ono shilling a car mile tho city derives a profit of over lii.per Mill., but ,ny council are of Iho opinion that thero is another aspect of tho caso wlitcli Then considered V J'""'- «>'".'« l f 10 " « convince them ttat it would be lo t city's interest to mipply care, titan, nml current to this borough «s chea|ily ib possible, and oven at )»I<hv cost. Jo P tho matter: plain]jj. }h« towu B .. owins to its geographical position, w c-lied on lo bear tho loss on two feeders to iho city system. ,\s every paseeii»M jji this district travels over an avorVo of three city sections it is.lboroforo to tho cily's interest to encourage ettlenient in tlio borough, and Iho raie-i-ii" of tho car niileara chfirge would have the' reverse offectf as this council would bo compelled to seriously consider the raising of the fares." The letter was' read at the mceling of the lliramnr Borough Council on tiws9ny and the town clrfc reported ihal tho letter had been sent to tho Oily Council.