LONDONERS CAN NOW GLIDE HOME ON THAMES

Chronicle (Levin), 9 March 1948, Page 4

LONDONERS CAN NOW GLIDE HOME ON THAMES

A novel addition is to be made to London's transport facilities this summer. Regular passenger water buses will run on "the River Thames, between Tower Bridge and Putney. This new service will begin on June 1, and from then will "be maintained at half-hourly intervals every day between, 8 in the morning and 8 in the evening. . This interesting innovation /was announced recently by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Barnes. He made a trial trip from the Tower Pier to Westminster in 12 minutes. No Government expenditure is required, he said, since the service is being run as a . private concern without any cost to pUblic funds. The London Tfansport authorities are giving the venture their full support and co-operation. Four launches are to be used, each carrying about 150 in undercover .saloons giving a fine view of the river. They will be powered by Diesel engines. capable of a speed of 10 J knots, which is roughly equivalent to 12 miles per hour.. Should the project prove successful, the service will he - augmented and extended down to the lower reaches of the Thames. The preseht inteh-

40> tion is to run water buses during I the summer montfis only, but should the demand justify it, con--sideration will be given to keepmg j them running during the winter also. . . , New landing stages will be required at two points. These are being built by the Port of London Authoi-ity. who estimate the cost at £12,000. ■ This will provide- half a dozen points bf call between Tower I Bridge and Putney, which is a jourSney of rather less tha none hour iby water. _ „ j Mr. Barnes. spoke of this method I of travel as "a perfect forhi of ' transport for .smoothness, com- • tort and interest." It was adopted ! and preferred by Kings and i Queens as their regular means of co'nveyance right up till the end of the 18th centur'y. Both the Queen and the Archbishop of Canterbury had their State vessels in addition to the King's Royal Barge. while the great houses of noble families lining tha Thames alohg the Strand' had each their .water stairs and private boats. Handel's world famous Water Music Suite was specially composed for, and performed during, one of * George III's river journeys. •