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Restrictions on Road Haulage May be Relaxed

18th December 1959
Page 67
Page 67, 18th December 1959 — Restrictions on Road Haulage May be Relaxed
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Transport Regulation Board Review Conditions in Victoria, Australia, Where Railways are Protected

I N a survey of transport activities in the State of Victoria, Australia, for 195859. the Transport Regulation Board paint a familiar picture so far as passenger carrying is concerned. In the goods field, however, it would appear that the time is rapidly approaching when the regulations restricting the road operator should gradually be relaxed at the expense of the railways. The Board exists largely to arbitrate on the opposing claims of the State railway interest and the road operator.

Victoria is not alone in possessing a rail system that is unable to pay its way, but in her case it is goods traffic that shows a, profit. So far as metropolitan passenger traffic is concerned, the picture is not unlike Britain's. In Melbourne there are a suburban electric railway system and a bus undertaking, both operated by the Tramways Board, and a group of some 148 separate bus services provided by private enterprise. There are also charter buses and a large taxi and hire-car fleet.

American Pattern

Victoria derives much of its forward thinking from developments in the United States, where conditions are not dissimilar. There is corresponding domestic and industrial development going on rapidly on the outer fringes of the townships. and there is the common threat from private transport and television.

Today, the railways and tramways incur heavy overall losses and privateenterprise passenger transport shows marginal results, with a local problem of inadequate vehicle replacements. The Board recognize that the private bus systems provide valuable services without added cost to the community and the State Government have already acknowledged this by reducing the seating tax.

They have Rlso approved legislation to reduce registration fees for buses outside the Melbourne area to the flat rate of £7 10s. a year—the rate applying to metropolitan vehicles.

Tax Relief

The industry's case for further relief from various forms of taxation (particularly sales tax) is assisted by the fact that public bus operators enjoy concessions now sought by the private men. Concessions granted both in New Zealand and Britain may well be taken into account at Federal level.

Better integration among the several bodies concerned could lead to more realistic developments in new housing areas where railway, as well as public and private bus, operation must be foreseen. The Board do not expect any further extension of suburban electric railways beyond those now in progress or approved.

Development appears to lie in the direction of better use of the underground system in the inner metropolitan area, and new arterial road services to the suburbs. It seems unlikely that the already poorly patronized country services can be improved, but luxury, inter-city coach travel is a possibility. At distances over 250 miles, the major competitor is likely to become the aircraft.

The goods Transport Regulation Acts have been in force for 25 years and restrict the haulier's activities to a far greater, extent than obtains in Britain. The thought behind their framing was that sparseness of Population was related to economic development, so that 'only comparatively light traffics would be available to share between alternative transport media.

The Victoria haulier may operate over a range of 25 miles in Melbourne and three other urban centre S and 20 miles elsewhere in the State. In addition, ancillary users with their own vehicles not exceeding 4 tons may carry their own goods within 50 miles of their place of business.

Primary producers using their own vehicles may operate throughout the State and a licence as of right is obtainable to carry certain scheduled items. Inter-State cartage is outside licensing control, but a road charge is payable for mileage .run within the State. Permits are necessary to carry a large number of commodities. • More restrictive policies are continually advocated by the Railway Commissioners and any new application is met• by kailway objection. For the railways it is claimed that they are increasing their efficiency by modernization and technical improvements, made possible by heavy public capital expenditure.

No Freedom of Choice

In the present state of development, the Board hold that the evolving road function must be artificially restricted so long as the railway service in adequate. With the comparatively, light traffics available, there is little to divide between the two systems: . but rail represents public money. Diversification of facilities resulting from freedom of choice remains beyond the bounds of economic possibility.

Nevertheless, the inherent advantages of road transport for particular purposes are so demonstrable that its use may represent a net gain to the community. A gradual broadening a the road function is expected, but only in step with economic expansion.


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