TRAMS AND BUSES

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 139, 10 December 1930, Page 10

TRAMS AND BUSES

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I would like to reply to your correspondents "Motor Bus" and ''Satisfied." "Motor Bus" will not mind my pointing out that of course my figure of Is 9d is merely my opinion. However, my opinion is based on what I consider is a fair deal to the ratepayers of Wellington. One well-known bus company of Auckland gives its cost per bus mile at 10.7 d, and this is quite accurate. However, that figure is merely the actual money expended plus depreciation. In my figure I have assumed that the bus patrons of Wellington would provide a renewal fund and interest on the capital expended. If this_ is not done the capital of the undertaking is not kept intact, and the users are receiving a service below actual cost. I would not be prepared to run any bus service in Wellington under Is Qd per mile. To do otherwise is, in my opinion, to court disaster. However, this is merely my opinion. "Motor Bus" may possibly see that my idea of cost per B.M. is simply a different view as to what constitutes a fair deal to the ratepayers in general. It is interesting to note also the Railway Department's application to the City Council for permission to increase its fares. With regard to his prophecy, I would merely point out that he appears to differ from the transport experts. With regard to "Satisfied," I would submit that if it costs more to run a bus out to Khandallah, than it does to Miramar, it certainly costs less to bring it back, so there is not much in his argument. Also there is a fair difference between 7d and 4d. One pays 7d (concession) to go to Khandallah by bus, and 3d by tram (concession) to»go to Seatoun or Karori. Miramar's present distance is 6 miles 33 chains, No. 2 route, from Lambton. Allowing the new tunnel to save a mile on No. 2, which is a very generous estimate, the distance will be 5 miles 33 chains. The distance to Khandallah is 5 miles. As regards my inaccuracy with regard to the 9d—l might say that it cost me Is 6d return fare on the last occasion I travelled there. In conclusion, I would ] state that trams pay and buses do not. This is the major difference.—l am, etc., STUDENT.