ONE-MAN CARS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1922, Page 5

ONE-MAN CARS.

| OPERATION IN NEW PLYMOUTH. BOROUGH OFFICIALS SATISFIED. EXTENSION OF THE SYSTEM. A progress report on the operation of one-man cars in New Plymouth in given by the general manager (Mr. F. T. Bellringer) in his monthly statement to the Borough Council, and he recommends that arrangements be made for the new cars to operate -on the main route now during the slack hours. The report states: “The operation of the one-man cars on the Morley Street section commenced on December 1 last, when the new time-table came into force. The new system has worked as satisfactorily as was expected, although experience lias shown that some minor alterations in the mode of operation adopted are necessary. The department is taking steps to have these adjusted. Invercargill claimed to have had the first cars operating on the oneman system in New Zealand, but actually one-man cars had 'been running several weeks in New Plymouth before Invercargill cars commenced running. “The operation of the one-man ears on the main route was delayed pending a settlement With the Tramways Union as to the rates of pay of motormen. whilst engaged upon this work. It was, however, not found possible to arrive at an agreement and the matter has been left to the Arbitration Court to settle, upon the understanding that the new’ rate of pay shall be retrospective to the date when the new system came into operation. Under the (.ircumstancee it should now be possible to arrange for the new’ oars to operate on the one-man system on the main route during the slack hours, and I would recommend that this be done. To prove a success the co-operation of the tramwaymen is very necessary. This has been given most willingly upon the xinrley Street section and there is no doubt whatever that the same willingness w’ill be shown w’ben the system is adopted upon the main route.”