THE BUS SERVICE

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 5, 21 June 1928, Page 6

THE BUS SERVICE

We have again received a number, of complaints about the bus service, which in spite of our remarks on previous occasions docs not seem to have "improved to any extent. Among the complaints which have been brought to our notice, the' most common are irregularity of time-table, overcrowding on the Taita run to the Cemetery, careless driving, and a general haziness on the part of drivers as to their exact route and time of starting-. The complaints to which we have referred arc not mere hearsay, but have been actually handed in to this office by passengers who consider that they have a legitimate grievance. These passengers are prepared to give dates and times, routes and busses on which the events about which they complain took place. | Sundry observations on our part lead j us to believe that many other passengers are prepared to make statements of fact regarding the present unsatisfactory position of the service. For in- ! stance, much adverse comment is directed' against the habit, which seems prevalent among drivers at present, of talking to passengers while in charge of the bus. This will probably lead to an accident, for no driver, however skilful, can properly control a bus and carry on an animated conversation at the same time. Apart altogether from the possibilities of coming into collision with another vehicle, the attention of the driver is distracted from the prospective passengers who may be waiting to bo picked up. Instances are not wanting to suggest that buses frequently drive past people who are waiting on the side of the road.

The Hautana Square route has already come into prominance as a most unsatisfactory one. For some reason, the time-table on this section is at present a scaled book both to the travelling public and to the drivers. Nor, apparently, do the drivers find it possible to adhere to such portions of the time-table as they can understand. Morning after morning the bus arrives cither five minutes too early or five minutes too late, with the result that regular passengers are endeavouring to secure private cars to take them to work. One cannot blame them.

It is not difficult to see that before long some steps will have to be taken to remedy this distressing state of affairs, for it cannot be denied that fewer regular passengers are now travelling by bus. The 8.15 bus is a case in point. At one time this service was taken by a large bus, and was very comfortable. Now a much smaller bus is employed and it is very uncomfortable.

"We have been assured by the officials concerned that they are doing their, utmost to make the servie.e more efficient than it was under private control, and they have promised the best- possible service. We feel sure they are quite in earnest in their endeavours to rectify matters, and we are confident that in time the service will be as good as it once -was. In the meantime, the Department will be glad to hear of any complaints that the travelling public wish to receive attention. The editor will be pleased' to transmit such complaints, and to see that they are properly investigated. -