COMING CAR SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1851, 10 September 1913, Page 9

COMING CAR SERVICE.

FOR KELBURNE. MOTOR-BUSES ON THE PARADE. START IN NOVEMBER. Recently the fact was brought to light that though the municipality had not the right to run a motor-bus service in opposition to its own electrio tramways, a private company could do so without let or hindrance. Months before that somowhat Gilbertian position ■ became publicly known, a company, consisting of residents of Kelburne, had decided on instituting a motor-bus service to. servo the residents of that district by bringing them to the terminal head of tho Karori-Kclburne Tramway Company's line. Tho position of the company, and its intentions, were dotailed yesterday to a reporter by Mr. W. J. Talbot (secretary).

The Company and Its intent. ''The company was formed about twelve months ago," said Mr. Talbot. "Tho City Council had declined to accede to tho prayer of a majority of the residents to extend tho olcctrio tramway service across Kelburne, and so give them quicker access to the city. At presont it is a long way round. What wo proposo to do at present is to run from tho Karori tunnel to the Kelburne car, maintaining a five minutes' service. Tho Karori cars run every twenty minutes or so. At present the car from Groy Street to the , tunnel takes more than twenty-five minutes; our patrons will be carried the distance, via Kelburne, in about ton minutes.' ' Routes and Fares. . "So far as things Jiave gone," continued Mr. Talbot, "we have decided on only one route—from the bend of the cable-car line to tho tunnel. Should this provo a success there is every possibility that tho idea will be extended to take in other parts of Wellington and suburbs.. Under au agreement with the Kelburne Tramway Company, the singlo fare of 3d. on their trams will be reduced to 2d., irrespective as to whether passongers are patrons of our buses or. not. When we commence, the Kelburne Company will issue special concession tickets, with a view to coining into line with the new development. As far as we are concerned, we will bo able to run our _ passengers to the tunnel for Id. ■ This makes a, total charge-of 2d., as compared with the 3d. fare now charged travellers on tho Kelburne tram alone.

No Obstacles. "No obstacles have been placed in our way," continued Mr. Talbot, "and, in fact, we havo' received the best of encouragement from all sides. The council's Engineer has been instructed to proceed with the work of repairing the Kelburne viaduct. It is certainly in a disgraceful staio, and unfit for any sorb of and the repairs will help us materially. But surely no better encouragement would bo found than that contained in the offer made by two big lland companies interested in Kelburne and. Karori property to subsidise the enterprise. Do you wonder why wo aro so confident about things? Furthermore, you havo the statement attributed by a Wellington paper to the Mayor of Karori, who is,.said to,havo stated that, to do .away with the overhead wiros and run a petrol motor-bus service on the present rails from Karori to tho Gardens wouM- bo.tT'.o-.bost. possible, method for coping with tho Karori passenger traffic. . ■

Ths Motor-Bus. do Luxe. "We ai-o to make a start with three buses in November next —tho contracts now being carried through by a local firm will enable us to do it. Ityo of the buses will have a. seating capacity ol 26, with standing-room for twelve more, and tho smaller car will hold 18, with standing-room for 10. As fojr as we know at present one of tho larger or theso cars is ncaring completion. Every caro will be taken to provide for the comfort of passengers. We want, in, fact, to show people something m ,the way of an improvement on the Wellington tramcar principle. Bach bus will have seats down the side, and cushions with 4in. springs on the seats and at tlhe back as well. The upholstering also is to bo of good design. Tlicto will be dJoors •at front and back, tho former tor entrance and tho latter for egress. Conductors will not be necessary, as the driver will collect the fares. Cars will be of the 4Q-50 h.p t type, and will have aji average speed of from 20 to 2o miles. Prestige of Petrol. . "It has been proved by all practical methods," continued 1 Mr. Talbot, that , we can run our cars at ft cheaper rate tiian the tramway people. No are in a position to run for 9d. or lOd. a mile. For a tramcar Is. would be hardly sufficient. That in a few words is tho position. From reliable sources m London we have learned that no further companies can ever bo formed at Home to maugurato electric tramways. Tie system is considered obsolete, ilie article in a recent issuo of the Review of Reviews,' headed English Railways Doomed,' also foretold tho end of olectric trams and tho substitution or petrol traction. A company is at present being formed in Englan<i-a motor-bus company. Its capital is £3,000,000, and it proposes to mil its conveyances to all parts of the country. Thus wul give you some idea of the prestige that petrol lias won, and what could be better than that we should take our cue from the Old Country ? ' Capital and Shareholders, "Our present capital," concluded Mr. Talbot, "is £3500 in shares of £1, andi we have 160 shareholders. Tho chairman of directors is Mr. Thomas Uard, CE., and. associated with him are Messrs. J. F. Mills, W. H. Balluiger, and l W. A. Kellow."