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CURB ON COMPETITION
Minister outlines
transport policy
The Government, under its plan for
transport this year, will eliminate competi
tion between State and private enterprise
and between private enterprises them
selves where tlie sen-ice to the public
suffers.
This wr.s slated by the
Minister for Transport. Mr
Coleman, this afternoon in
outlining the plan at the
annual general meeting of
the Road Passenger Ser
vice Operators' Association.
He said the Government
would also, this year —
Taly definite steps io make
a bus passenger terminal
in the city a reality.
Undertake n romnleic over
haul of the State road
transport system.
Mr Coleman told the
meeting that the Govern-
ment believed that an ans
wer to the Railways De
partment financial troubles
wns in sight.
"It also looks as though,
with the co-operation we
arc receiving, we will be
able to do something about
the Tramways Board
losses." lie said.
"If our hopes arc realised
the railways deficit this
year will be only about £1
million."
Mr C'oleman said thr
Government would make a
rompiete overhaul of
transport services in the
metropolitan area this
, year.
"A bus pssscncrr lev-
! mtnal for Melbourne is an
; absolute necessity." he said.
! "We think that the
initial cost for the ter-
, initial will be found from
' the Transport Regulations
; Board fund. The money
Iwill be repaid over the
I years by the industry it-
1 self."
1 Mr Coleman said the
: Government would nepo-
jtiate f"r a site.
' Mr Coleman said he had
'given the go-aliead sien
on trams for Bourkc Street
only after careful consider-
'stton of the economic ques
tions involved.
ECONOMIC
"It has been demonstrat
ed that, over all, trams are
more economic than buses.
They shift more passen
gers and. over a given time,
do it more quickly."
Sir Coleman said that
the question of trolley
buses bad been consid
ered. But in many places
where trolley hitscs could
run it would first he ne
cessary to strengthen the
roads to take them.
For tins reason many
municipalities were more
in favor of trains.
Mr Coleman said U
'seemed that industrial
(peace was assured in the
State's railway system.
I He hoped also that "we
will sec the difficulties in
'the tramways solved too."
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