THE TRAMWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18964, 11 March 1925, Page 7

THE TRAMWAYS.

Sir, —An obvious reform in the tramways is speeding-up on the principal routes and a moro frequent service. This might, in some instances, be effected by lessening the stops at some of the termini. I can speak from experience as to one at least—that on the Great South Road, where it is,often as much as five minutes at a stretch, when it is no uncommon sight to see one or more, buses pass the standing tram-car and pick up passengers waiting or ahead. Other stops are often unnecessarily long—none more annoying than at the barns (or depots), where it is not unusual for both motorman and conductor to leave the car and disappear into the buildings, if a change of crews is due then, as in other city systems, the fresh crew should be ready to hop <ui without any appreciable loss of time. The tramways commit tee might well take a leaf or two out of the bus routine !..y having concession cards on sale by the conductors and allowing two punches where two passengers (as so often occurs) travel together. Then the rule requiring cash for fares on Sundays smacks of pei tyfogging. It cannot make for much more revenue, because cards afford a, margin of profit to the council fur losses and tmpunched cards. In many lit lie ways the convenience (if the travelling public may thus lie consulted. I!AT£ PATER. Sir, — [ wish io call attention to several dangerous practices on the (ranis. Often one can see as many as ten persons on each of the platforms, and, on the driver's end, the people keep up a continuous conversation with the driver. Then again, one can see as many as 25 passengers standing up inside. Standing, on the platforms was not allowed before Ihe advent of the buses, as it was considered dangerous. At, the timing clocks if often happens that two trams are standing side by side with the drivers waiting for their time to be up to give their punch. I have often been held up when motor driving in this way. Another danger is springing up now. namely, that of drivers stopping their cars to pick up passengers several chains from the authorised stops, so that, motors not expecting this will one day run over an intending passenger rushing" out, to catch the tram. I have ridden only twice in buses, but, if this continues, I shall certainly ride in them, for, with overloaded trams, in case of accident, there will be great loss of life. Ben ZIN'K.