TRACKLESS TRAMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1920, Page 4

TRACKLESS TRAMS.

SUITABLE FOR NEW PLYMOUTH. VIEWS OF VISITING EXPERT. In the course of a tour of tie colonies, Mr. A. E. Wray, representing the English Electric Company, was a visitor to New Plymouth last week, and interviewed by a Daily News representative on Saturday, he had" something to say regarding the { trackless trolley syeten of tramways, which is now df particular interest in New Plymouth, as. it is th# subject of some controversy. "Trackless tramways," said Mr." Wray, "are purely trams without rail*." He proceeded to state that they provided quite a.comfortable service, and with the eliminating of the rails there was less expense. Particularly for -the latter reason they were more adapted to the development of the districts where initial expenses were an important factor. The cars, were built to'accommodate thirty* one passengers, and could carry forty or more without serious overcrowding. The system is run from overhead wires, similar to the usual trams, except that there is an additional wire. Should the development of any particular route warrant it, the track, system can be [inaugurated by the laying of rails/and procuring of the ordinary cars, the overhead gear being adaptable to the track system. Mr. Wray says that several trackless routes are in operation in England, a recent installation being that at Middlesborough. After being over the New Plymouth routes in company with the local tramways manager (Mr. Bartley), Mr. Wray expresses entire agreement with Mr. Hartley's recommendation of the trackless trolley system. As far as truffle is concerned the routes might be tamed "lean," . and he doubts if there is sufficient populatioiu.to pay for an extension of the present system. The installation of raillesg trams would'undoubtedly provide a good service*, and assist in the development of the suburbs, and if in the future increased population justifies a change, the present service can be conveniently extended. The fact that has to be taken into consideration just now, however, is the great difference in the cost, and in- Mr. Wray's opinion the trackless method will give almost a similar service to the other, which in the aggregate would cost three or four times aB much. Speaking from a strictly business point, he stated that, as far as Us Arm was concerned there was no monetary advantage in advocating as he did, in view of the fact that the rail syitem involved the bigger contract.