FLAT RATE TRAM FARE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 782, 1 October 1929, Page 11

FLAT RATE TRAM FARE

HOW SCHEME WOULD OPERATE TRANSPORT BOARD REPORT “It must be understood that the Transport Board does not declare itself in favour of or against the flat rate system in submitting this report,” said the chairman of the board, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, at this morning's board meeting. The report mentioned was one setting forth the effect of a universal threepenny fare, which has been advocated by several local bodies. The board, in committee, decided to supply interested authorities with particulars of the number of tram passengers and what penalty or benefit would follow residents of various districts served by the trams. The report states that assuming np decrease in traffic took place the flat rate fare would be threepence, and all concession tickets except for school children would be abolished. INCIDENCE OF THE FARE On the basis of last year’s figures the incidence of the flat rate fare would have the following result: Eight million one-section riders using existing concession tickets at l£d would pay 3d, an increase of 100 per cent. Fourteen million four hundred and eighty thousand one-section riders now paying 2d cash would pay 3d, an increase of 50 per cent. Seven million three hundred and five thousand two-section riders using existing concession tickets at 2jd would pay 3d. an increase of 33 1-3 per cent. Ten million six hundred and five thousand two-section riders now paying 3d cash would still pay 3d. Four million three hundred and forty thousand three-section riders using existing concession tickets at 3d would pay 3d. the same fare as at present. Four million six hundred and seventyone thousand three-section riders now paying 4d cash would pay 3d, a decrease of 25 per cent. One million one hundred and ninety thousand four-section riders using existing concession tickets at 3.|d would pay 3d, or a decrease of 20 per cent. One million six hundred and fifty-seven thousand four-section riders now paying 5d cash would pay 3d, a decrease of 40 per cent. Ninety-six thousand five hundred fivesection riders using existing concession tickets at 4£d would pay 3d, a decrease of 33 1-3 per cent. Four hundred and twelve thousand seven hundred and fifty five-section riders now paying 6d cash would pay 3d, a decrease of 50 per cent. Twenty thousand six-section riders using existing concession cards at sid would pay 3d, or a decrease of 45 per cent. Six hundred and eight thousand five hundred six-section riders now paying 6d cash would pay Sd, a decrease of 50 per cent. BURDEN OF POSSIBLE LOSS In the event of the flat rate fare proving unpopular and a serious reduction in revenue arising, then the resultant loss would become a charge against the ratepayers necessitating the striking of a special rate over the whole of the board’s district. One and two-section cash and concession, also three-section concession riders, constituting 76 per cent, of the travellers over the various portions of the tramway sytsem, would pay increases or the same amount as at present. Large numbers of riders travelled oxer one and two sections in the various suburban areas. Mr. E. H. Potter suggested that the local bodies should be informed that the board now anticipated a loss of £22,000 on the year’s working, and that particulars of another 10,000,000 fares not shown in the report should be detailed.

That the board would not be justified in making such a statement was the opinion of Mr. E. J. Phelan, who said the worst part of the financial year was now being experienced and that there was no reason to suppose that the present estimate of £22,000 would not be considerably bettered. Mr. Allum said there had been no attempt whatever to withhold information. Regarding the 10,000,000 travellers not accounted for in the statement he said these consisted of children, passengers to races and special items which would only tend to confuse local bodies if an attempt was made to analyse the effect of the proposed fares on that section of the travelling public. The idea was to present as lucid a report as possible. “The board does not give any opinion on the fiat rate system,” Mr. Allum remarked. “All we say is ‘Here are the statistics —judge for yourselves.’ ”

The chairman said he was not going to confirm any suggestion that there would be a deficit of £22,000 at the end of next March. The hoard’s duty was to stop the loss and the management had a number of plans in mind for the popularisation of the bus and tram services. He suggested that a conference of local bodies and the Transport Board might discuss the proposed fare.