A Defence of Private Buses

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 121, 12 August 1927, Page 9

A Defence of Private Buses

WHY TRAMWAYS WON G.O.C. DIRECTOR’S VIEWS That for passenger traneport, privately - controlled motor - bus services are more economic than tramway systems is the claim made by Mr. G. B. Beaver, a director in the G.O.C. Bus Company. Referring to an article in THE SUN regarding statements made by Cr. Allum in connection with transport, Mr. Beaver said this morning that according to that councillor “the anxiety of the bus owners to force the council to take over their buses leaves the public to form its own opinion as to whether private enterprise could run the suburban services and make them pay.’' FORCED TO SELL “When private owners undertook transportation of passengers competing with the trams for the support of the public,” states Mr. Beaver, “there was no thought in their minds that pressure would be brought to bear on the Government to give protection to the trams, and even if this had been thought of, none but an ardent supporter of the Labour Party would have considered it possible of attainment. “Conditions rapidly changed for the private owners when the legislation became a fact, and the only rational thing for them to do was to take advantage of the provisions in the Act provided fo.r their protection.” To show the economic advantages of bus transportation over trams Mr. Beaver quoted an instance of two men with a total available capital of £225. This was used as a deposit on the purchase of a bus, the revenue produced met all payments, paid deposits on more buses and within a few months enabled them to have a fleet of eight buses on the run. Another firm he was closely connected with, said Mr. Beaver, commenced with very little capital, yet out of revenue it had gradually paid off its buses and is to-day in a very sound financial condition. The fare this firm is charging gives a concession fare of nine miles for 5Sd, a more economic fare than it is possible to operate trams on successfully. Fortunately in this instance the legislation did not do them any serious injury as they are independent of tram passengers. “BADLY H IT” Regarding the G.O.C. buses now being taken over by the city tramways, Mr. Beaver said that if the legislation had not very seriously affected them the council would never have had the opportunity of buying the company out. Of all the runs in Auckland this was easily the best. In spite of all that has been said to the contrary they were badly hit as a direct outcome of the Act, and the owners took the only course left open to them by turning the buses in. If, as the advocates of the tramways submit, they are a sounder economic proposition than buses for the conveyance of passengers, why did the management not allow things to take their natural course, asks Mr. Beaver.