TRANSPORT PROBLEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 13 January 1931, Page 2

TRANSPORT PROBLEMS

BUS COMPETITION IN GREAT BRITAIN

That electric tramway systems were j falling into disrepute, and that both j they and the railways were finding itj increasingly difficult to meet competij tion from petrol buses in Great Britain, : was a statement made by Sir Harry Haward, formerly a member of the London Eletricitv Commission, in an interview with a “Press” reporter in Christchurch. Sir Harry Hawarcl was interested to learn of the development in regard to trolley buses in the City, but said that as yet they had found no 'great favour in the Old Country. Buses were offering increasing competition to tramway systems all over Great Britain, and some had been abandoned. The London trams were even feeling the pinch. Speaking of the electrification of railway lines, he said that a number of- suburban lines had changed from steam to electricity, and serious consideration was being given to the question of electrifying some of the main lines. To meet the situation created by the competition of buses, many railway companies had been compelled to enter into relations with the bus companies, and many now had interests in the latter where they offered very great competition. The improvement of roads was all in favour of the petrol form of transport, and it was interesting to him to note that in New Zealand, where the main roads run parallel to the railway lines, every pound spent by the Government on roads was an assistance to the competitors of the railways.