ROAD VERSUS RAIL TRAVEL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 283, 24 August 1920, Page 5

ROAD VERSUS RAIL TRAVEL

We are passing through a very interesting phase in the evolution of land transport, says the London "Daily Mail." In rapidly increasing numbers people are deserting the railways for the more pleasant travel of the open road. One explanation of this is that there has been an enormous increase in the number of privately owned vehicles. Never have our roads been so _ crowded with motors as they were during the recent Whitsun holidays, and Derby Day provided another remarkablo illustration of the development. Another cause is. the rapid extension of tho omnibus 6ystem to beauty spots outside the London area and the linking up in the country I districts of town with town by the same means. As well as being more pleasant, this method of travel is also cheaper than journeying by rail. And at prepent this development is only in its initial stages. The omnibuses are shortly to be equipped with pneumatic tyres, and with the faster travel thus brought about will come also longer journeys. A 21-honrs' trip by omnibus to Brighton ia hinted at, and also 4-hour journoys to Folkestone and Margate. • On Whit Monday, when many trains were running with plenty of vacant accommodation to popular holiday resorts, the omnibuses alone carriod no fewer than S\ million possenEers. During the holiday week-end tho London tubes, tramways,' and omnibuses combined aimed a grand total of 14 million folk. It is a new and.very serious problem for our railways, which aro threatened with serious motor competition for the transport,of goods as'well.