THE TRAMWAY PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 151, 26 June 1912, Page 6

THE TRAMWAY PROBLEM

Special explanations may bo offered to cover the fairly continuous increase hi tramway expenditure and tho decline in revenue. We showed in a recent article how this hug© enterprise" wae drifting on to the shoals of loss, and it was apparent, then that unless an improvement was effected tha tramwaye would bo a charge on the rates. Wellington I; a favourable place for profitable {ramway traffic, though .thni'p eii'Tos and bleep gradients in pnrtf> of the .system titid to tlie vmin'mg oust. Tho cmiliuiiru tion of the city practically compels Die population to take advantage of the cars, and yet the rotppnyih have cause to f<*ur a ]<«vy unless proiji't'iw towards n dolK'it is. ohei'kml. The (."lirhlehuich Trumwiiy Jsoaiil i^ I'uuramju* abmit iiuJiiuuiekl outlook Uisrc, but iv th« city

of the plains the cars have the competition of thous&ndfi of bicycles and hundreds of motor-cars. In Wellington tho City Council has practically a monopoly in tho carriage of th« travelling public, and it is therefore reasonable to expect & safe margin of profit, without any exorbitant sea-lo of fares. It was indicted in these columns some time ugo that thfi Tramway Board wa» studying the preeenL position and prospect of the tramways, and tho chairman (Mr. W. H. lVforton) says to-day that the board is preparing a comprehensive reporc for tho guidance of the City Council. Tt 5g understood that thi!? lSepoH will not only give recommendations to ensur© a bettor return from the lines now open, but will augg4fet a prudent policy in regard to extensions for some years to come. Shortly, the board will ad vise the council to be on guard againet haphafcavdness, and to look ahead with town-planning eyee. Long ago Mr. Morton demonstrated that he had a vision which projected far into thtt future, and we feel sure that he and his colleagues of the board will offer the council some sound advice about the tramways. Unfortunately the council as a whole, has not usually shown itself willing to get into grips with the tramway problem. By fits and starts it has resolved to have an overhaul, but the members generally have not proved to the public that they are keenly interested in putting the undertaking on a safe business basis. This indifferent attitude has to be, changed. The tramways must be worked out of the present position.