BUSES VERSUS TRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20220, 3 April 1929, Page 9

BUSES VERSUS TRAMS.

AUSTRALIAN RIVALRY. STATE TRANSPORT BILL. " SHELVED " IN ASSEMBLY. [from our own correspondent.] SYDNEY. March 2S. It seems as though the persistent campaign of the Bus Publicity Committee of the Motor Traders' Association of New South Wales has borne fruit, for the Transport Bill which it had been fighting for months has been shelved.

For many weeks, and until prevented from doing so by the Police Department, every one of tho 565 buses in uie metropolitan area carried a huge sign in letters of flaming red, "Does your M.L.A. know that you need the Bus?" Other slogans were:—"Co-ordination means Elimination"; "Efficient Motor Transport is Sydney's Greatest Need"'; "Fight for the Bus." *

The Assistant-Chief Secretary, in introducing (lie Transport Bill to a weary Assembly, explained that a commissioner of transport would be appointed, and that ho would be the chairman of two trusts, one in Sydney and the other in Newcastle, which would control all traffic except the railways. Each city would be divided into five districts, and each district would have representation on -the trust, which would have wide powers in tho matter of controlling both the trams and buses. Its word would be law. It could regulate both, just as it pleased. The trust would take over the trams, the valuo of which would be set dowp at £8,000,000. After three years the trusts would be put. on an elective basis, Whether the view was justified or not it is hard to say, but tho bus proprietors imagined that the trust would have a definite bias in favour of the trams. Buses have become very popular in Syaney. No ono will ride in a tram, if he can get a bus. The buses are more comfortable,. more speedy, and less noisy than the trams. The-result is that they have eaten seriously into tho revenue of the trams. In addition to an excellent metropolitan service covering 445 miles, there are services to the distant suburbs and to some of the chief. country towns.

The bus systems are capitalised at £2,000,000. 'They pay £750,000 a year in wages and they carry 440,000 passengers a day.