No Cable Car Appeal

Salient Reporter

Victoria Student Association's appeal against the increase in cable car concession fares has been abandoned.

President John McGrath told Salient that the association's lawyers had recommended against continuing the appeal.

But he believes there is a real chance the City Council will improve cable car services and provide new cable cars.

At a recent radio forum on fare rises, Mr. McGrath called on the deputy mayor, Cr. Archibald, to say whether he thought new cars could be provided. He also asked for concession fares for students—linking student needs to those using school concession passes.

Cr. Archibald replied: "I went up to the top of the cable car this afternoon and was just appalled at the shocking condition of the cable car."

On concession fares, he said: "I would think that was a very good idea. I would agree with that. I definitely think we ought to give consideration to that."

Similar submissions were later put to a special meeting of the City Council.

Mr. McGrath says that the idea of a concession ticket was unacceptable to the City Council.

But he believes that a renovation of the cable car—which was proposed by Salient earlier this year—is a distinct possibility.

Concession fares, increased to 4/6 last year, then reduced to 3/6 following a VUWSA appeal to the Transport Licensing Appeal Board, rose to 4/last Monday.

The City Council also attempted to block the use of old concession tickets by claiming to limit their validity to the time up to the fare change.

Students told Salient they have been told they will have to visit the Courtenay Place transport depot to obtain a refund on unused portions of the tickets.

One student described this requirement as "bloody ridiculous."