TRAM FARES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4992, 25 June 1926, Page 3

TRAM FARES.

POSITION IN WELLINGTON.

DEAREST IN NEW ZEALAND,

After reviewing tramway fares in tne various centres the “Local Authorities Handbook,” the new publica r tion of the Census and Statistics Office, states *hat in 1914 Wellington was the cheapest and Dunedin dearest among the metropolitan tramway systems, but in 1925 Wellington was dearest (followed closely by Christchurch), while Dunedin was cheapest. During the intervening eleven years fares in Wellington rose 49 pe.r cent., in Auckland 36 per cent., in Christchurch 28 pei- cent., in Dunedin only 5 per cent. Among the factors responsible for the relative dearness of fa,res in Wellington, it is stated, are hilly country, high cost of. power and labour, and low-seating capacity of cars, because of structural limits caused by narrowness of streets. Christchurch is fiat, which is an advantage in haulage, but which reduces tramway revenue by encouraging the cyclist. In defence of Wellintgon’s system it is pointed out that for travelling three or more sections Wellington’s is a,s cheap as any other system in New Zealand and Australia, whilst the universal 3d concession card, available over any line and up to six sections, .is as cheap a fare as exists any.where in the Dominion.