MODERN TRANSPORT

Evening Star, Issue 22449, 21 September 1936, Page 1

MODERN TRANSPORT

WONDERFUL BUS SERVICES IN AMERICA “ The most wonderful things I have ever travelled in,” was how Mr W. B. Cunningham, manager of the local office of the Union Steam Ship Company, expressed his opinion of buses lie had seen in the United States. Mr, Cunningham noted many new and. interesting things during a recent trip to America, but that which impressed him most was the comfort and organisation of the bus services. One bus service in particular, upon which ho himself travelled, covered the whole of the United States, • controlling over 3,000 buses. 'These machines had a maximum speed of 80 m.p.h., but on trips averaged about SO m.p.h. Mr Cunningham spent only a* very short time in America, visiting San .Francisco and Los Angeles. However, in both of these cities there was a decided air of prosperity, and those business men with whom ho talked seemed confident of good times ahead. “ Although one would naturally expect something different in hotels from those in New Zealand, the service in America is something wonderful. With the luxurious suites of rooms, housed in wonderful buildings, one would have a hard time finding an equal in the Dominion. Of course, there was a big difference in the cost,” said Mr Cunningham. Exclusive of meals, prices varied from five to ten dollars a day for a room. The Greyhound Lines was one of the biggest bus services _ in the States, and Mr Cunningham travelled in one vehicle himself between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Each bus weighs 25 tons, can seat 37 passengers, and in the later models has the engine at the rear of the vehicle. Their services cover tho u whole of the States, serving some' 50,000 miles of highway routes. The drivers of the buses were very considerate, and although they averaged approximately 50 m.p.h., proper caution was taken. It was noticeable that at the conclusion of a trip many passengers would stop to thank their driver for the pleasant trip and careful driving. Mr Cunningham said he believed some of these men have records of driving several hundred thousand miles without even a scratch on the surface of a bus. If one desired, sleeping berths could also bo obtained on the buses.