STEAM BUS A SUCCESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 12

STEAM BUS A SUCCESS.

POPULAR WITH PASSENGERS. GREAT SAViNG IN FUEL. MAINTENANCE COSTS LOWER. The view that steam buses will seriously have to be considered when the purchase of new motor-buses is under consideration was expressed in a report submitted to the Auckland Transport Board yesterday by the manager, Mr. A. E. Ford. The steam vehicle already operated by the board was put into service in February, 1931, said Mr. Ford. The bus bad been running on straight and broken shifts since that time, and up to the end of last month it had completed 12,943 passenger miles. In addition, it was estimated that the bus had run a further 6000 miles in connection with the tuition of drivers. Various troubles, inseparable from a new type of power unit, wcie met with from time to time, but the general conclusion was that the majority of the troubles were due to the particular unit being too small for the conditions under which the vehicle was required to operate. There was a considerable saving in fuel. Crude oil for the steam bus cost 9d a gallon, compared with Is BJ,d for petiol, and, taking the cost per mile before its conversion, petrol cost 3jd against 2d a mile for crude oil, a, clear saving in favour of crude oil of a mile, iheio was much less wear on the tyres. lhe vehicle had travelled 18,000 miles and the tyres, which ordinarily would require changing, had still a considerable amount of wear left in them. Considerable saving was also effected in the maintenance of the bus, due to the absence of a transmission shaft, universal joint and gearbos. Experience also showed that brake maintenance was reduced to a minimum.

" The steam vehicle has very rapid acceleration and deceleration, and it is able lo complete a journey in a shorter time," stated the report. ' lhe silent and smooth acceleration, the flexibility of tho vehicle in traffic and the absence of noise and vibration have been the subject of favourable comment by patrons of the bus. Where two types of bus operate together, passengers have prcfeiied to wait for the steam vehicle." _ Mr. Ford slated that it was important to note that the steam vehicles were constructed in New Zealand. If the steam trpe became general their manufacture would absorb quantities of New Zealand labour and materials. There was every indication that fuel suitable for the steam vehicle would be produced shortly in New Zealand. The report was adopted.