Fair and Unfair Fares
Page 39
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
THE question of the fares to be charged in connection with any road passenger trims • port undertaking is an exceedingly. difficult one. It is obvious that the average rates must be such as will cover the total operating costs, -Whilst permitting .an adequate. margin of profit. Too high a level 'is, however, liable to have the .effect of rendering the Service . unpopular, thereby forcing 'the 'public to make use of other means for transport where sueh are available. .
It must also be remembered that iniprotitabli3 new routes must often be worked during the expansion of a new syStem,• the burden in " such cases being borne by the better-paying services, and it is oitCouily, fair that :this procedureshould be ••followed. • The unfairness , .occurs .. where • competing , . transport -.concerns operate their vehicles only through. what may be, termed the "rich" districts, where the . traffic . is heavy, neglecting to meet the convenience of the public "on 'the less-remunerative routes.
. In many. parts_ of the country, antiquated tramway systems have to be . artificially bolstered up by enforcing higher. fares on the buses, in the hope that many people will be attracted to the traitiS by the appeal to their pockets ; but so popular is the bus that, • • despite this disadvantage, it usually . well patronized. Such artificial raising of • fares is, however, in our opinion, a wrong practice, unfair to the Public and quite uneconomic. Our Manufacturing industries would never . have progressed if the old shibboleth of retaining, machinery.. until it was completely worn out had not been relinquished.'
Efficient transport at a reasonable price. is quite, as essential as quality , and cheapness in production. , Passenger transport by road has won .undeniable popularity amongst all sect tons' of the community. A is almost endeavouring toi achieve the impossible to: attempt to curtail services in any way which will deprive their users of the manifest advantages which accrue from them.
It must, of course, be conceded that excessive duplication of services undesirable, and this is an important argument lit favour of co-operation be tween the various roadtransport companies Concerned.
. The nation is beginning to regard the road vehicle as a :more natural form of transport than any other. The • railway for -a con.Siderable number of year# Ousted the stage coach, but the pendulum has no-Nii swung in *the direction oil the latter. Those rT sponsible for the operation of road vehicles had, in the past, to swallow theft' 'grievances and ,see the ralf7 way triumphant.' Now it is once again, their turn, and they should make the most of their opportunities.