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THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1913. THE TRAMWAY DAY.

In ai Sydney Sun Special that was published in the Age a day or two back, it was reported that a member of the Imperial Motor Transport Company had stated that the day of tramways was past, and that they would no longer be laid down ill large, busy cities. This statement, coming from one who was probably speaking with a knowledge of things so far as they affect the United Kingdom, is of considerable importance. It will be of special interest to those townships in New Zealand that are considering the question of the installation of electrio tramway systems. For some time past evidence has not been wanting that tramways, whioh are confined to certain fixed routes, do not adequately serve the public conveniences. In townships of the size of Palmerston, Napier, Wanganui, Gisborne, Timaru, Hastings, and Masterton, it is almost certain that a motor-'bus service would be more convenient and profitable than the tramway. And yet we find a number of these municipalities expending thousands of pounds in putting down electric tramways. The spirit of enterprise and emulation' is a very good thing in any community, but. it not infrequently happens that municipalities get ahead of themselves. They incur responsibilities of an enormous character without sufficient consideration for the progress of science and the future of the municipality. As the Ohristchurch Press points out, a few years ago the tram was without a serious rival in street traction for cities, and municipalities granted concessions for thirty years or so, feeling certain that the tram would meet all requirements for that period and for longer. While the electrio tram was quickly brought to a high state of efficiency, it iooK longer to make the motortyM Mi ft •omforf»bl« wnl paying

vehicle. When that was done, however, it was soon seoti that the motor'bufl's competition vas formidable. The London County Council was startled at discovering not long ago that the receipts of th;? General Omnibus Company had advanced by over £500,000 in twelve months, ae oompared with a decline in tramway receipts. The 'buses in London move faster than the trans, and take people into streets where the trame do not run. Each L.CJ.C. tram oar represents a capital debt of £6OOO, while a motor-'bus costs £750, and allowing, for the cost of garage, th» cost should not be mora than £IOOO. The working cost of the London trams is 7.45 penoe per mile, while one London fira has worked its 'buses at a cost of 6.75 pence per mile, including the cost of "scrapping" the plant in five years. The experience of London is not sufficient by it-self to make one believe the day of the tram is over, but it is sufficient to prove that the tram is no longer king of the road.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WAG19130731.2.12

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 31 July 1913, Page 4

Word count
Tapeke kupu
478

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1913. THE TRAMWAY DAY. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 31 July 1913, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1913. THE TRAMWAY DAY. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 31 July 1913, Page 4

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