MELBOURNE'S TRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19698, 26 July 1927, Page 9

MELBOURNE'S TRAMS.

PASSING OF CABLE SYSTEM*

ELECTRIC CARS TO BE USED*

[from our own correspondent.] SYDNEY, July 15. The electrification of Melbourne's tramway system is gradually approaching completion. Workmen are now busy on the Richmond line, tearing np the old cable track. The running of the last cable-tram the other night was a historic event, for the Richmond line was the first tramway constructed in Melbourne, and, curiously enough, the tram that made the initial trip 42 years ago, also made the final journey. The - veteran vehicle was escorted from the city by hundreds of motor-cars. At every street corner groups of people waited to wave farewell as the tram clanged its way along. Buses are now Deing used on the* route, "pending the reconstruction of the track. It has afforded an opportunity to compare the efficiency of the two systems and police constables on point duty are of the opinion that the buses are much more ■ suitable for Richmond's narrow streets than either cable or electric trams. They get off the mark quicker at intersections, and thus speed up the flow of traffic, and by pulling up at the footpath to set down passengers, they provide a greater measure of safety. But the Tramways Board is determined to go on with the tramway scheme and has a deeply-rooted prejudice against buses. Electric trams on the Richmond line promise to be strong competitors to the electric trains.