CONCESSIONS APPROVED

Evening Star, Issue 23677, 10 September 1940, Page 10

CONCESSIONS APPROVED

SOLDIERS AND TRAM FARES NO CHARGE FOR FINAL LEAVE MEN OTHERS ALL ON SAME BASIS Soldiers and all other men of H.M. Forces will come under the scope of the new concessions contained in the report from the Transport Committee of the City Council approved at the meeting last night. The new regulations provide that these men (who include Territorials), will be charged Id for one section and 2d for two or more sections on any one tram. Hill services were to be regarded as one section. Men on final leave 1 will still enjoy _ the privilege of travelling free during the period of their leave. “ Having men at the St. Kilda barracks means running an extra tram from the camp to the city every night, and paying time and a-half to the men on duty. It means a considerable expense to the Transport Department,” said Or Gibson, in putting the motion for the adoption of the report. ‘‘ It was, therefore, thought that a definite charge—not too heavy for the soldier, and offering some recompense to the committee for its extra expenditure—should be made, so that the scheme of Id for each section, or 2d for two or more sections on any one tram for any of H.M. Forces in uniform, was put forward for consideration. It had been difficult to arrive, at a solution that would be fair to everyone.” €r J. W. Munro, who seconded the motion, pointed out that it conveyed what was in the mind of the committee —no soldier would be 1 charged more than 2d. Or E. J. Smith said that conductors would have to bo instructed clearly that no man was to pay more than 2d, even when coming from hill trams. It was pointed out by Or D. C. Cameron that men on final leave still bad the privilege of using the trams free during the period of their leave. Cr Gibson replied that it was not intended to charge such men. In reply to a question by the mayor (Mr A. H. Allen) as to how it was intended to transfer men in uniform from the cable to the electric trams without their being charged again, Or Gibson said a scheme would be devised, with the co-operation of the tramways manager- _________