FLAT-RATE TRAM FARE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 770, 17 September 1929, Page 1

FLAT-RATE TRAM FARE

LOCAL BODIES APPROACH TRANSPORT BOARD WOULD PUBLIC AGREE? That a universal fare of 3d should be adopted by the Transport Board over all tram routes was urged this morning by two local bodies. HHITE One Tree Hill Road Board suggested that the system should be given a trial in view of the present serious competition from private cars and cut-rate taxi fares. The Mount Roskill Road Board made a similar request. Mr. M. J. Coyle thought the matter hardly one for local bodies, but for the people. Frequently it was found that the opinion of a few men was not that of ratepayers. Mr. E. J. Phelan did not blame outside local bodies for asking for a universal scale, but the city would have to carry any loss. Forty per cent of tram travellers were one section passengers, and a flat rate of 3d would bear heavily on such people. What would be said if the city had to increase its rates to meet a loss? Until he was sure it was possible to run the trams without loss at a universal fare of 3d he could not commit himself to such a policy. Mr. F. S. Morton, replying to Mr. Phelan, said that if there were no long distance passengers there would be no transport for the one section travellers. The board should take cognisance of what the local bodies had to say. “It is very desirable that we should get the consensus of local body opinion about this matter,” remarked Mr. E. E. Rhodes, who pointed out that the question was now before a committee. The bulk of the transport revenue came from first and second section passengers, said Mr. A. J. Entrican. There was no question that if the flat rate system were adopted a heavy loss would result. People living in the city proper would have to find two-thirds of the loss, and if a deficit resulted, local bodies would probably still be in favour of the 3d rate because they would only have to bear one-third of any loss. The chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, in moving that the letters be received and referred to the committee of the whole board, said that if any local body offered an opinion it was entitled to bt heard. The board would not. however, make any change on the recommendation of any one authority alone. It was necessary, that the voice of all be ascertained. Moreover, the question of a flat rate was one which the board could not settle of its own accord. but ratepa3*ers would have to be consulted. The caairmana motion was carried,.