Light on Transit “Feeder” Question

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 188, 29 October 1927, Page 11

Light on Transit “Feeder” Question

ROSKILL DEPUTATION’S DISCUSSION WITH TRAMWAYS COMMITTEE

“TF the half-uttered remarks, and -*■ the unuttered thoughts, of those who transfer from tram to bus at Surrey Crescent could be recorded and broadcast through the city, trams into areas that want them would be an accomplished fact early in the future, on a sympathy vote alone.

Whatever was the comfort and convenience that encouraged people to assist the invasion of the bus in the precincts of the tram, those who now use the buses, by necessity, if not from choice, are paying heavily for the mistakes of the past. Crowded trams and buses, often dangerously crowded, are the order, and the fight to get on them at times resembles a dog-fight.

On the adjacent city area, Alount Roskill West, feeder services are not in quite such a bad state, but the complaint is that they are too infrequent, and the needs of the district, as brought berfOre Cr. J. A. C. Allum and the tramways manager, All*. A. E. Ford, yesterday afternoon, by a deputation, resulted in an interesting little roundtable conference. The deputation included Messrs. A. A. Roberts, R. J. Mills, A. E. Rose, and J. Walsh..

ASSISTANCE APPRECIATED “The people we appreciate are those who come along and say ‘Can’t we get together on this?’” remarked Cr. Allum. “They help us, and I think we may be able to do something for them.”

Afembers of the deputation submitted several suggestions with the idea of helping both themselves and the council. The deputation wanted to know if it could be put on the same footing as Point Chevalier, paying 3s 3d for workers’ tickets.

Mr. Allum pointed out that Point Chevalier was in the city, and trams were long overdue. They might be justified in losing money on buses there —and concessions did not pay—where they would not be justified in running them to Roskill, over which the city had no power to recover deficiencies. CONCERNING FEEDERS

Mr. Roberts: You say you do not expect feeder-buses to pay, but to bring traffic to the trams. Air. Allum: We say that if it is costing £IOO a week to run a feeder, and we get £9O we may be satisfied because it is worth it to the trams. Another request was that the feeder service should be increased, and the deputation suggested that the through trips to the city in rush hours should be discontinued and only a feeder service run, the time-table being 10 minute during the hours 7 to 9 a.m. and 2 to 8-10 p.m., a 20 minute otherwise.

This alteration was apparently favourably received by the tramway representatives. “You would rather we used the money this way?” asked Mr. Allum. A member of the deputation thought a better time-table might easily result in the service paying for itself. During a general discussion Mr. Ford remarked that if trams were laid to Avondale he considered he could take 11 buses off the North Road, and give better service with three extra trams.

“I am a great believer In as frequent service as possible, and with trams it brings tremendous increases in revenue—and trams pay—but buses only lose more and more,” remarked Air. “I am pleased to be able to say that, after two years, we can at last see a little daylight in the tramway situation,” remarked Air. Allum. “It is only a tiny point of light a long way away, but we are hoping that it will soon illuminate the undertaking again, and that we will be able to give better concessions.”

NOT A POLICY BASIS One of the deputation remarked that with girls and young men getting 25s a week and having so much to pay for tram-fares it was hard for them to remain honest.

Air. Allum: I’m afraid we can’t construct our policy with a view to keeping boys and girls honest. “We all know that the public has been spoilt by community buses, and taxi-rides at 3d a time. They want it to continue,” remarked Mr. Walsh. “One thing of importance,” remarked Mr. Allum, in thanking the deputation for their attitude and desire to assist, “is that the tramway extensions have been delayed so long that the districts have grown to a size that will enable the new trams to pay practically from the start, and that will be a help instead of a drag in recovering what we have lost.” “And Point Chevalier and Avondale trams would practically solve the bus troubles too.” supplemented Air. Ford.