TRAM TRAFFIC TOTALS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 29, 3 February 1913, Page 7

TRAM TRAFFIC TOTALS.

HOW AUCKLAND COMPARES VVOTH SOME AUSTRALIAN CITIES. The net increase in the number of passengers carried on the Sydney trams during the last financial year was equal to the total nunrber of passengers carried on the Auckland trams. This information was given to a "Star" reporter by the City Engineer (Mr. W. E. Bush), who has just returned from visiting Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide for the purpose of inspecting- large engineering works with a view to assisting the solution of engineering problems with which this city is now faced. The result of his investigations wfll, in due course, be reported to the City Council.

The earnings of the Sydney trams last year (according to information supplied to Mr. Bush by responsible officials) were £1,331,413 on an invested capital of £5,664,000. The net profit for the year was £249,950, the percentage of profit on capital thus being £4 12/8. The earnings per mile were £8,212, and the working cost per mile £6,914, so that each mile of tramway in Sydney is earning a profit of £1,298. there are 296 miles of single-track lines, and in addition 41 miles of sidings, loops, and cross-overs. By way of indicating the extent of the tram traffic in Sydney, Mr Bush menioned that consideration is now being given to the provision of tube railways or tramways, and also to the introduction of trackless trolley-cars. These latter draw their propelling power from, overhead electric wires, but their wheels are so constructed as to render rails unnecessary. They are consequently used chiefly for forerunning purposes until permanent tramways are laid own. In Melbourne, Mr Bush remarked, contracts had been let for the electrification of suburban railways, which carried such a big bulk of the suburban traffic in that city.° 'These contracts would involve an immediate expenditure of two millions sterling. The cable cars, he said, were still providing an excellent service, but electric cars had been introduced to such suburbs as Prahran and Malvern. The most up-to-date system of tramways is to be found in Adelaide, Mr Bush stated This had been installed by Mr W G T Goodman, MJ.C.E., who was associated with the Auckland electric lighting system at its inception. The service had been installed according to the latest and most approved methods, and it was controlled by a Municipal Tramways Trust. In referring to the great increases being noted in the tramway traffic of leading Australian cities, Mr Bush mentioned that Auckland was running Sydney close for the number of times its" tram carried each person of its population. He also observed that this city would appear at a disadvantage in such a comparison, because it did not have as many tram services connecting with the ferry services, as was the case, for instance, in Sydney.