July 4 1932 - Macarthur Transportation Company Limited began operations.
7/4/2010 at 7:38 AM
Forerunner to the Brandon Transit it began operations after the city council pulled the plug on the light rail transportation system.
They proposed fares of seven cents, but the Public Utility Board officials considered this to be too low for a successful operation. Even so, the Legislative approved the franchise that took effect on July fourth 1932.
The life of the conveyance operators was hard.
They were inundated with complaints criticism, and mechanical malfunctions. Commuters took their complaints of discomforts to city council that in turn ranted in chambers against out dated equipment and unsatisfactory timetable observances.
On the other hand the shuttle service providers intimated that city roads were a menace to life, limb and liveries.
From 1932 until 1937 when the agreement was expiring were turbulent years. After Macarthur, and Son Limited completed their contract they removed all their busses from service.
The city council met this situation by arranging temporary service, but the provincial government insisted on ratification by ratepayers stating, “Until such time, only the Macarthur Company had the right to operate on the streets, and avenues of Brandon.
In 1943, months before the rate payers approved a new ten year measure an accident occurred involving an army truck which caused a loaded bus to swerve, hit, and shear off a tree causing thirty three passengers to sustain cuts, and bruises, and leaving the public service vehicle operator in shock.
More upheaval occurred in 1952 when a renamed Macarthur Transportation Company wished to withdraw a trial period, unprofitable North side route that had been petitioned by residents who had not used the service.
In 1954 city council authorized a study, which recommended a subsidy, but one Alderman is quoted as saying, “the profit, and loss are not our concern.”
In 1955 the omnibus operation was called Brandon Transit Limited, and its vice president Norman Bergman informed city council that unless satisfactory arrangements could be reached, and financial losses underwritten by the city his company would be forced to begin liquidation proceedings.
Mayor James A. Creighton inquired about losses, Alderman Burneski asked about revenues, and Alderman Crystal insisted the franchise holders live up to the contract, which did not expire until 1957.
Vice President Bergman said that he knew of no transit organization that was making money. Alderman Courtice said, “I would be glad to see the city handle the buses, if… just breaking even.”
When the eleventh hour arrived a transit mile by mile allowance proposal was rejected, yet agreement was made for a maximum of a six thousand dollar apportionment during a five-month period allowing the public conveyances to keep running.
The authorities then took preliminary steps towards promoting a corporation owned transportation system.
On 1st September 1957 a city owned Brandon Transit was born when five new vehicles were purchased at a cost of about $30,000 each began service for the citizens of Brandon.
Note: Although the Brandon light rail transit system had been terminated, Brandon citizens still paid taxes towards its installation for another 20 years.
Source: Brandon a City by G. F. Barker
http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~wyatt/alltime/brandon-mb.html