ONE-MAN TRAMCARS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 10

ONE-MAN TRAMCARS.

THE CHRISTCHURCH SCHEME.

IMPRACTICABLE IN AUCKLAND

"There is no possibility of one-man tramcars being introduced in Auckland under tho present circumstances, as they are unsuitable for use in such a city," said the chairman of the Auckland Transport Board, Mr. X A. C. Allum, yesterday, in commenting on the proposal of the Christchurch Tramways Board to introduce one-man trams as an economy measure, to save the wages of a number of conductors. In order to operate one-man trams successfully, it was necessary to have a flatrate fare without- concession, cards, or elso for the traffic to be very sparse, Mr. Allum added. In. Auckland!, the section system was in operation, and for the greater part of tho day ouei-man trams would bo impracticable, as they would slow down traffic, whereas the aim of the Transport Board was to spe<?<J it up as much as possible. When one-man trams encountered heavy traffic, it was found necessary to have somebody either on the tram, or at the stops, to collect fares. One-man trams had proved a boon in Wanganui, Invercargill and New Plymouth, and in other places where the traffic was sparse, Mr. Allum said. In Christchurch, for oxample, some of the lines ran through districts where there were comparatively few houses, but in Auckland most districts served by the trams were thickly populated. 'in the United States one-man cars were iji use in places, but at peak periods it was found necessary to employ conductors. In England and on tfc.e Continent a section system similar to that used in Auckland had been adopted, and he could not remember any place where one-man cars were used. The possibility of employing ono-man trams in Victoria Avenue, Remuera, between tho terminus and the Rcinuera Post Office, had been considered, but it had been found that tho alteration would necessitate a special type of car, and that the through passengers would have to change cars, to which they would not tako kindly.

"MYSTERY OF THE PEARLS."