NO EXEMPTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1051, 15 August 1930, Page 13

NO EXEMPTION

INCREASE IN BUS FARES EXPECTED

OIL FIRMS TO DECIDE Private motor-omnibus companies are not receiving any exemption from the Government under the new petrol tariff. This means that the increase must he passed on to the travelling public and the companies are now waiting to hear from the oil companies before deciding on their revision in fares. Mr. G. Grey Campbell, secretary of the Auckland Omnibus Proprietors’ Association, said that exemptions from taxation for passenger carrying vehicles had been asked for, but apparently nothing was being done in this direction by the Government. They were at present waiting to hear from the head office of the oil companies to see what alteration in price would be made in petrol supplies. A new schedule of fares had been drawn up and would be submitted to the Transport Board as soon as the increase in the price of oil was known. When the revised tariff came into operation last month the increase amounted to threepence and the surcharge. However, only twopence of this was passed on. Mr. Grey Campbell stated this morning that fares will have to be raised to meet both the increase in the price of petrol and the increase in the price of tyres, spare parts and the incometax. The total general increase over all assessments amounts to between 10 and 15 per cent. It will be impossible for private bu companies to carry on at the present rates, and it is expected that the increased fares will be made known within-a few days.