THE BUS SERVICE

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 13, 23 September 1927, Page 1

THE BUS SERVICE

AND GOVERNMENT CONTROL.

While almost all parts of the Dominion have grown to a greater or less degree during the past three or four years, we think few boroughs can show'such a wonderful measure of growth and prosperity as can Lower Hutt. No one single factor has brought this about, but rather a combination of factors and circumstances, not necessarily ajl of equal influence. One of the agents in bringing about this development has been the motor-bus. Beginning with but two buses this transport service has grown until, today, we have a very large number of buses —roomy, comfortable, cheap— that at intervals of less than a quarter of an hour maintain communication between Wellington, Petone, and Lower Hutt, also bringing people into the town from outlying parts of the district. In the earlier days of this service, owing to the lack of interchange of tickets between the various owners or companies each of which issued and accepted only its own tickets, irritation was perhaps felt. Thanks to the good sense of the owners this was overcome, and now practically all tickets are interchangeable, so one need waste no time in waiting for a particular bus. Another good feature of these buses is the running at certain hours of the day and evening of "express" buses which go from Hutt—not through Petone—but by the shortest route, and cover the journey in about twenty-five minutes. Again, consider what a boon to us this service is, when we remember that there are few principal streets in the Borough that are not now catered for. Do we realise what this must mean —especially to our lady folks, who have now no long: walks to reach the railway station, nor the cost of a taxi to take them there. We have absolutely no doubt that many, very many people have made their homes in our midst because of the better conditions obtaining here, but feeling snre, at the same time that cheap and rapid means of transport to and from Wellington were available.

But what of to-day. We know that the Government contemplates the purchase of all the buses because they have so seriously cut into the railway returns. ' -

Such a purchase really leaves no option to the owners but to sell, and this, we understand, without the Government being willing to pay more than the present-day value of the buses; nothing in the nature of goodwill for the splendid system these owners have, at a risk to no one but themselves of financial loss, built up. There appears to be a quite unnecessary amount of secrecy connected with the proposed purchase and the people, whose money it is that will be given if the deal be completed, are quite in the dark as to how matters stand.

What assurance have we that, under Government control, this excellent service will be maintained? We have no more knowledge than our readers, but what we fear is that most of the buses will be entirely withdrawn from the present running and be sent to do duty in other parts of the Dominion, places that are more remote from a railway than the average person cares to be.

This would leave a certain, but limited, number of buses to act merely as feeders to the railway at one of the three stations within the Borough; This so-called feeder service was tried about two years ago, but who would call it a success. Indeed, so utterly lacking in success was the experiment that it was quietly allowed to die.

Does the Government object to competition? Then what of privately owned coal-mines? To compel all to buy only State coal, why does not the Government buy out all such private mines and so kill private enterprise, as it appears to contemplate doing with our privately owned buses.

The Government a good many years ago entered into competition with the then existing insurance companies—both life and fire. This was a boon to the people, and quickly brought about a real reduction in the premiums payable. But no attempt was made to crush out or buy out all insurance companies—there is room for all in that feature of our business life, and we see no reason to prevent the Government from entering into competition with our local bus owners, but we do not see the justice of taking the business completely out of their hands. Let us have competition by all means—not a cut-throat competition—and then only the best, be it privately owned or State owner, will survive.

When the Government established the Public Trust it did not decree that no private individuals could compete with it in the control of the estates, in which that route is being widened. The rope fence particularly attracted our attention, not because of its money, or property left by deceased persons. Can nothing be done to prevent this compulsory sale of the buses ? We feel sure bur Council will realise the enormous advantage these buses are to the people, how much of the increased value of land within the Borough is directly attributable to them, and what a boon they are to those at distances from the railway, and thus realising will do something to prevent this blow at private enterprise.

The Hutt Business Men's Association (Inc.) decided at a general meeting to hold a Shopping Week in October from 24th to 28th, Work is now being vigorously undertaken by various committees, and the public of Lower Hutt are reminded to watch for further particulars. ■** " * The Rosery Committee of the Horticultural Society has made a start with laying the foundations of the Borough Rose. Garden in Massey Avenue. This energetic committee met on a recent Saturday afternoon arid with the assistance of some of the Council's staff, planted all the shrubs which are to form the shelter belt around the rose garden.