Grand Trunk betterments, etc.

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The Victoria Jubilee bridge, having been finally completed, was further opened on Dec. 1 for foot passenger & vehicle traffic. A scale of tolls has been established under which foot passengers pay a cash toll of 5¢ or 6 tickets for 25¢. Bicyclists pay 10¢. cash, the other fares ranging up to 75¢ for 3 or more horses & vehicle loaded. The completion of the bridge is a great public convenience as heretofore the only crossing has been by ferry, which has been liable to interruption in the spring & fall. Notwithstanding this some people are complaining of the tolls charged & the matter has been brought under the notice of the Minister of Railways, who stated that in granting a subsidy towards the building of bridge no provision was made for government control of tolls. There was no mentioned made of anything other than provision for other railways to secure entrance to Montréal. There is not clause in the general railway act which would cover the case in question. Personally he was not aware of what rates were being charged for pedestrians or vehicles; but it did seem to him that they would be arranged on a scale to invite rather than to drive away probable traffic. Further than this there was nothing that he could say. He had not in his possession the schedule of charges for crossing by the ferryboat, but considering that the bridge is almost two miles in length, he did not incline to believe, so far as a glance at the situation showed him, that 5¢ or 6 tickets for 25¢. was excessive.

Railways: G.T.Ry.

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