MOTOR COMPETITION.

Shannon News, 14 September 1923, Page 4

MOTOR COMPETITION.

There was very real and increasing competition by motor traffic with the railways, said the Minister in the Railways Statement, and if the department was to hold its own, concessions to users of the railways and to the staff would have to be subjected to very close investigation. It was clear that any increase in freight rates, to enable the department to earn interest charges would divert more traffic to the roads. It was well known that motorists were not charged with any contribution to the construction and maintenance of roads, also that the railways carried road metal for the repair of roads and involved a loss of £50,000 per annum. Motor traffic had a legitimate field which was supplementary, rather than competitive of the railways. They should act as feeders to rapid and regular transport in districts where a railway would not be | justified. 1 The department has had under con- j sideration proposals to obtain some I motor vehicles for use in conjuction with the railways. These would be obtained and worked at first as an experiment in selected districts, and further operations would be guided by the experience thus gained. ■ In addition, contracts mi,ght be made with those now engaged in the motor-car-rying trade, to work in co-operation, instead of in competition with the department. Something would have to be done by local bodies and others interested, in the direction of determining under what conditions these motors can be permitted to use the roads. '