PAY AS YOU ENTER!

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1107, 21 April 1911, Page 6

PAY AS YOU ENTER!

0NEW CARS TRIED IN 'FRISCO. TROUBLE AT THE TERMINALS. The problem of how to collect tram fares without risk of loss lias cropped up in Wellington, and discussions have taken place on the value of the various systems in vogue throughout the world. At one time it was found that frequently passengers travelling on tho big palace cars during rush hours readied their destinations without having been asked lor their fares, and it was found necessary to give each of such ears two conductors in the busy hours. Another point to be provided for is an effectual cheek on the conductors. At one time a New iork tramway corporation offered a bonus of £1000 to anyone who could devise a more effectual ctieck than tho inspector system. Tho clock "tell-tale," tno bell-punch, and other mechanical checks Jiad all been tried and found wanting, and in the end they had to revert to the inspector system (with check slips). The latest development is the pay-as-you-cnter car, which was tried for the first time in San Francisco 911 March 19. Tho "Call" of the following day describes what happened: With the schedule broken beyond all repair, with peevish crowds waiting at every street corner and excited conductors explaining themselves hoarse, the first attempt was 'made yesterday to run the pay-as-you-enter cars. As objects of curiosity they were unequalled, but as means of rapid transit they did not come up to the expectations of the public. Tho manajgeinent of the company declared, however, that these difficulties had been encountered in other cities at tho outset, but wero surmounted later as the public became accustomcd to the new system. Tho new cars were run on the Sutter and Jackson line. Ten cars were put in service, but more than once they got so far behind schedule time that they had to be switched at Fillmore and Sutter Streets and sent back to the starting point at Presidio Avenue and Sutter Street. Tho delays destroyed the schedule of the Sutter-Jackson line and tied up the Clement and Sutter and the Cliff House cars as well. The trouble seemed to lie at the terminals. At Market and Sutter Streets, largo crowds gathered to await tho new cars. Tho work of taking the passengers 011 board caused , considerable delay, only one being let on at a time. The now system was new both to conductors and passengers, and while tho public was learning the other cars iu Sutter Street had to wait. The pay-as-you-enter car did not begin its journey until tho last passenger had deposited his nickel and was safely 011 board. There was another delay when it stopped to let off passengers, as the latter, unaware of the swinging gate in front, crowded up against it and had to. bo pushed back time and again in order to allow the motorman an opportunity to open it. Under the now system 110 one can leave the car until it is brought to a dead halt, and it does not start again until the last person is on board. In this way the conductor and motorman can devote their time to looking after the safety of tho passengers, and it is expected that the plan will eliminate the numerous accidents caused by the premature starting of cars. One of the features which brought about a great deal of criticism from the public was the ban 011 smoking and .baby carriages. Nobody is allowed to stand 011 the rear platform on tho new car, and the law prohibits smoking on tho front. Accordingly, none may smoke. Baby carriages and large parcels wero tabooed.

Under these regulations a passenger was almost certain to get a seat, and if, perforce, one had to stand, there was aniplo room in the aisle. The old inconvenience of shoving and squeezing was noticeably absent. Tho seats run lengthwise and curve inwards in tho middle, making them fairly comfortable. AVithin reach of all are clcctric buttons by which tho passenger' wishing to alight can signal the motorman.