REPLACEMENT OF TRAMS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25581, 24 August 1948, Page 6

REPLACEMENT OF TRAMS

SCHEME EXPECTED TO BE POPULAR

The modernisation oi Christchurch s public transport system was planned to extend over eight years, but’he felt sure that- once it started its popularity would lorce it to go faster, and there would be a job*in keeping the changeover within economic bounds, said Mr J. F Fardell. general manager to the Christchurch Tramway Board, yesterday, at a luncheon meeting of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Institute of Secretaiies Trams had started in Chcistchurcn in 1900. and their loan life was 30 years so to-day thev were an’iquated. and needed renewal. Mr Fardell said To make the tramwav service efficient double tracks would have to be laid on all routes and new vehicles bought The laying of new tracks would cost £2,500.000 and new vMvrle® would cost another £ 1.500.000 Christchurch had as many miles of tram tracks as Birmingham, which had a population as big as that o f the whole of New Zealand, he said When deciding the form of modernisation the board had thr*»p alternative vehicles to consider There were trams, trolley-buses and Diesel buses Mr Fardell discussed the advantages of the three vehicles and said it had been decided that the trams should be replaced bv Diesel buses, but that trolley-buses be maintained on the North Beach route and used on th 1 Pananui-Cashmer* 3 H’lls route Trol' lev-buses were the best vehicles for hill climbing, and the Pananui-Cash-mere Hills route was well d°finod not likelv to change. Diesel buses he said, were comfortable ponular smooth, and quiet running. Thev could load at the kerbside. avoiding traffic congestion.