A POSSIBLE CHANGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 141, 16 June 1936, Page 10

A POSSIBLE CHANGE

SUBURBAN TRANSPORT

TROLLEY-BUS TO HEIGHTS

THE COUNCIL'S INQUIRIES

The system of tramways as they were known in Wellington had been closely examined and it was open to question whether a change of policy was not required when transport extensions to suburban areas not at present served were being considered, said the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, at the annual meeting of the Vogeltown and Mornington Municipal Electors' Association last night.

New features were being introduced into passenger transport, said Mr. Hislop. Trolley-buses were operating with ever-increasing development in many parts of the world. They could climb steeper hills than the Brooklyn hill and the most recent types were absolutely silent. The council had been making most careful inquiries from other parts of the world about them. His own feeling was that the trolley-bus was the thing of the future. It was cheaper than the tram to install and used "our own power." There was a type which carried a pole for use in the city, but which, when it reached the end of the overhead wires, lowered its pole and was driven by a Diesel engine. A report on that vehicle was being obtained.

Mr. Hislop said that in addition to the problem of transport to Mornington, the council had to consider other districts, such as Melrose and Oliiro Bay. "We have been dubious whether to stick to trams or to take up the new things, but I think the balance of opinion is going to be for the new," Mr. Hislop said. "I do think the solution will be along the lines of the new type of transport." Mr. Hislop pointed out that the tramways had been kept in first-class condition, which caused a problem. If the tramways were worn out they could be scrapped next day.

COST OF RUNNING BUSES. Earlier in the meeting the chairman, Mr. J. Russell, expressed dissatisfaction with a system of transport which involved changing conveyances. The tramway project had been rejected on a report by the manager that it would not pay. They believed it would actually pay better than some existing routes. However, residents had now to pay a cash fare of 5d to go to or from the city, as against 3Jd which residents of Seatoun and such places had to pay. The tramways must be one of the largest businesses in Wellington, and a business must expand to prosper, but it was so long since the tranj system had been extended that he could hardly remember it. The area was already very thickly populated. There was hardly a vacant section between the public hall and the Brooklyn terminus. Mr. Hislop said that Mornington still had the unsatisfactory dual system of tramcars and buses, but some improvement had been made in the time-table recently. The revenue a bus mile was IOJd, and the cost of running was Is 10d a mile, so the loss was about Is a mile. The recent improvement involved 88 miles additional running. Of course, it had to be remembered that on all routes the central city section carried the other sections. The council had not felt it right to launch out until business conditions settled down. A light bus would be put on almost immediately to run up the western side of Brooklyn, and it would take up running during the peak hours from Brooklyn to Mornington.

Replying to a complaint by a member that, even after Mornington residents had changed from bus to tram at Brooklyn, they were not taken to the railway station, Mr. Hislop said that the cars would run to the new station when it was finished.

He denied a suggestion that councillors were dominated by the tramways manager, and said they had minds of their own on subjects that were not technical. The councillors, said the Mayor, had the fullest confidence in the General Manager, Mr. Cable, and those who readily criticised an officer should remember that he carricd a great responsibility and must, when discussing any development, put forward all the difficulties as well as the apparent advantages that a balance might be kept and a sound decision

made. , • The chairman said that the residents of the district were willing to try trolley buses, provided that they ran from town.