TRAMWAY FARES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 235, 29 June 1920, Page 6

TRAMWAY FARES

CONCESSIONS TO WORKERS ■ DISCUSSION BY CITY COUNCIL When the alterations in the scale of traimi;>y fares were being discussed by the C.ly Council recently, Councillor J. 0. iSlioriand requested that the use of workers' tickets bo extended to persons using the cars up to 8.30 a.m. The Tramways Committee reported to the council lust night that it had considered the request, but could not see its way to recommend its adoption. The Mayor said that to grant such a concession, before the council knew where it was financially, would not be a sound policy. The council had already passed a resolution urging that the clause in the Order-in-Council relating to workers' concession tickets should bo deleted. Workers weft now being carried at less than Jd. per|car mile, and it was costing tho management Id. to carry them that distance. The council was thus losing id. per section ride. Ho recommended that the clause should be passed, and that, later on, the council should ascertain the effect of the alterations in the fares. The Order-in-Council relating to workers' concessions did not operate in any other city than Wellington. After ascertaining tho position, the council might try to arrange for as big a concession as possible ail round up to halfpast 8 o'clock in the morning, so that residents in (the suburbs might have the opportunity of cheap travel on the trams. Councillor Shorland said he still held that the workers going to work before half-past 8 in the morning should receive consideration. The clause was vague, more information was required, and, for that reason, he moved, as an amendment, that the clause bo referred back to tho committee. Councillor J. Glover seconded the amendment. Councillor M. I\ Luckie said the Order-in-Council concerning workers/ tickets should never have been forced upon the council, because it had meant the loss of a considerable amount of revenue.. To carry the amendment moved by Mr. Shorland would mean that the farce would be perpetuated. Councillor J. Hutchison considered that the bulk of tho'"useful people" travel, led between 6.30 and half-past 8 in the morning, and it was only fair that they should receive some consideration in the way of concession tickets. He thought that the tramways-management could effect economies in the working of the system, and it was for them to suggest how the extra money could be obtained.

Tho amendment was lost on the casting vote of the Mayor. Councillor L. M'Kenzio suggested that the Tramways Committee might, take into consideration the advisability of placing a limit on tho time within which concession tickets, purchased before the increaso in far© was- mnde, could bo used. Some people had bought a year's supply of such tickets, and, considering the state of tho finances, it was not reasonable to allow these tickets to bo used beyond a certain fixed date. The tickets could be withdrawn and tho monoy expended on them refunded to the purchasers.

Councillor Luetic Baid the council could not do anything of the kind, as to do so would only be committing a breach of contract with the purchasers.