“Stepping Stone to Transport Board"

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 201, 14 November 1927, Page 9

“Stepping Stone to Transport Board"

TRAMWAY EXTENSIONS OUTSIDE BODIES WANT SAY IN CONTROL

THE proposal to make a levy or ■*” special rating on outside dis- ' tricts, to meet prospective losses on tramway extensions, is not likely to be allowed to be brought about without the outside bodies having a say in the control. The indications are that the proposed ‘ extensions along .Dominion Road and Mount Eden Road to Mount Albert Road, will be made a stepping-stone j toward the securing of a Transport Board. Several of the local bodies concerned have this view, and the Mayor of Mount Eden is outspoken about it. “The idea that outside local bodies should make a contribution toward the tramway department is, * of course, quite out of the question,” he says. It was suggested, at a meeting of i residents in the Mount Roskill area I on Saturday evening, that Mount Eden’s share would be £ 5,000 a year, and Mount Roskill’s £ 3,000, the latter figure representing a little more than a fifth of the present annual revenue of the Mount Roskill Road Board. The reports prepared concerning these two extensions showed the following figures. Mount Eden Road. 121 chains. £44,860 excluding trams, £50.860 including trams. Receipts. Working Loss.

COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME WANTED Commenting on the position this morning, Mr. E. H. Potter said the now trams would, in any case, only top the area, and a much more comprehensive j scheme was wanted. Moreover the | prospects were such that a board with powers over the whole district was wanted, especially in view of the prospective electrification of the railways. ‘"Though it is out of the question to contribute to the tramway department the question as to whether outside bodies should assume any responsibility is another matter, and one which might be considered if it were put before them,” he said. “It would, however, involve the formation of a board, with definition of responsibilities as if outside bodies are to be in ajiy way responsible they must be given a voice in the management. Also if they are to be responsible in any way for losses they must share in the same proportion in any profits. “Cheap and efficient transport is the j object to be aimed at. and to attain i this, the local bodies would, I think, ;be prepared to consider any definite i proposal. At present a competing service, the motor-bus, is willing and anxious to provide for the needs, not ; only of the inner district served by trams, but also of the much wider area which trams will never reach. These services ask for no subsidies; they are prepared to comply with conditions and only ask for the right to run. The interests of the public are the first consideration, and a Transport Board which would exercise control over all services, and consider the needs of all districts is the only method which will give any satisfaction.” PROPERTIES DEPRECIATED In view of the fact that his board will discuss the position on Wednesday. Mr. E. F. Jones would not this morning comment on the position or the likelihood or otherwise of the board j agreeing to pay a contribution. I " "Properties have decreased in value very considerably within the past few ! weeks, owing to the transport position,” he remarked, “and it is a ques--1 tion as to whether it is worth while ! for the property owners to pay a pro--1 portion more rates and maintain their values. We recognise that weekly j tickets at 3s 3d are too low on buses, | but are prepared to pay 4s to 4s 6d. ! The Buckland Road service alterations I are hitting us very hard, particularly in Empire Road and Hillsborough districts.” Air. Jones disclosed that the Mount Eden and Mount Roskill boards had met and discussed the position and had forwarded suggestions to the City Council. These include the following suggested bus services: Waikowhai to city, via Mount Eden Road. hourly morning and evening, two-hourly durj ing day; Landscape Road to city. 7£ ! minute service; Mount Albert Road to ; city, 15 minute; Mount Albert, through ! Dominion Road, city, 12 minute: Mount . Albert Road to city, via Mount Eden Road, 6 minutf. The fares suggested i range from 5d to 9d.

£ £ First year .. .. 5,622 11,550 5.928 Second year .. .. 7,787 12,138 4,356 Third year . . . . S,S34 11,550 2,716 Dominion Road, 9S chains. £39,250 excluding trams, £ 51 250 including trams. Receipts. Workin S Loss. £ £ First year . . . . 6,052 12,138 6,086 Second year .. .. 7,782 12,138 4,356 Third year .. .. 9,511 12,138 2,627