THE MOTOR-BUS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1605, 23 November 1912, Page 8

THE MOTOR-BUS.

0 PROPOSED KELBTONE-KARORI COJIPANT. The "Spectator" of September 21 had a very interesting article on tram'cars' and motor-buses, and the verdict of our contemporary is in favour of the motOrbus. "There are' now nearly 2000 motorbuses working in London, and about 30 new ones are being put on the streets every week," observes the "Spectator." And this goes to show not only that the demand for the motor-bus is strong, but that it is ousting the tramcar. In London at all events it is preferred to the tramcar, and according to the "Spectator" in the twenty-three weeks ended September 4 the passenger receipts on' the London County Council tramways showed a decrease of ,-£48,000, while the receipts of the London General Omnibus Company for forty-eight and a half weeks show an increase of upwards of half a million. It is claimed for the motor-bus that, in speed, ease of running, cleanliness, ventilation, and lighting qualities it is very little behind the expensive motor-car of tho private _ owner. ;_lt is a far cry from London, to Wellington, but . there -is reason to believe that as good. results' relatively can be here, and some of our enterprising citizens propose forming.a- company, and on'another page-will, be found the prospectus of the Kelburne-Ivarori MotorBus Company, the capital of which is fixed at ,£3500, divided into 3500 shares of -.£1 each. .' The whole of the shares aTe offered for public subscription at is. per share on application, is. on allotment, and'the balance.in calls of not more than 4s. per share, at intervals of not less than ono, month. The company proposes to maintain a motor-bus service between Kelburns and the Karori Tunnel, running over such other routes as may from time to time be determined. It is pointed out that the landed cost of a vehicle to carry 30 passengers 'would be from ,£SSO, to .£9OO, .arid'the running oost, including maintenance, depreciation, etc., is estimated at 9d. to lOd. per mile. F/om Karori Tunnel to the liclburne Car Station is slightly over three-quarters of a mile, so that the cost to the company would be under Bd, per trip. The pro-, posal is to run a five-minute service during rush hours, and ten to twenty minutes during ordinary hours. The company proposes to establish a through fare from Lambton Quay, via Ivelburne to the tunnel of 2d.; time, ten minutes. This means a big saving in time and money to those now using the tramcars. The Upland Estate Company agrees to pay the MotorBus Company a monthly subsidy of ,£l2 10s. for n period of 24 months. A favourable agreement has also beeji entered into with the Kelburne and Karori Tramway Company. The scheme appears to have been well thought out, and a good sound proposition is put before the public. Tlio provisional directors are all well-known city men, and those interested should have not the slightest difficulty in securing tho modest amount of capital required.