TROLLEY BUSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22030, 9 February 1935, Page 15

TROLLEY BUSES

USE IN CHRISTCHURCH A FLEET OF ELEVEN POPULARITY WITH PUBLIC f THE ABSENCE OF NOISE [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] CHRISTCHURCH, Friday Christchurch people have taken very easily to the city's fleet of 11 trolley buses. The change has been so popular, in fact, that the fleet is likely to be increased considerably in the near future. This is a remarkable state of affairs when it is realised that the city has a reputation for being conservative and very much against change in anything that has become an established part of its life Yet the transition on several important routes from tramcar to trolley bus has been accomplished smoothly and practically without adverse criticism. However, when the buses are compared with tramcars it is not difficult to understand why the Christchurch public has taken so kindly to them, and why these handsome vehicles, speeding quietly out of noisy Cathedral Square without fuss or bother, have been accepted so soon and so completely. The trolley bus has several advantages over the tramcar, namely, comparative noiselessness, much smoother running, greater speed, absence of dust on unpaved roads, much greater mobility and generally moro comfortable riding. Compared with the petrol bus, the trolley bus gives off no petrol fumes and thero is no risk of fire from petrol in the event of an accident. More May be Ordered These are a few of the reasons why trolley buses have become so popular here on the routes on which they have been placed. That they are a decided success is shown by a recent decision of the Christchurch Tramway Board to invite tenders for nine new buses, alternatively electric or oil-driven. Tramway traffic in the last six months has grown noticeably in Christchurch, and it appears that trolley buses have secured the greatest percentage of the increase. This is partly duo to a great improvement in the condition of the road surface on the route traversed by the principal trolley bus service, but it is considered that the more comfortable travel provided by the buses over this long route is drawing improved patronage. More direct evidence of the popularity of trolley buses, particularly for family travel, is found in the returns of traffic during the recent school holiday special seaside excursion tickets were issued. These resulted in considerably increased business a* compared with the same period last year. Previously the ride to the beach meant a long journey in open or seyiiopen tramcars over stretches of dusty road. This journey was definitely un« comfortable enough to prevent many would-be seaside excursionists from making it. Now one can enter a trolles bus at any stop along the route and travel in comfort in a roomy softseated car practically free from dust. (Jain firom Mobility The trolley bus has another important advantage over the tramcar in its mobility. While in motion it can be swung 12ft. on either side of the centre of its normal track. Beside facilitating passage through other traffic, this enables the bus to be drawn in to the kerb to pick up and. set down passengers eliminating risk of injury by passing traffic, and at the same time rllowing other vehicles a clear run through. In a city like Christchurch the need to stop frequently behind stationary tramcars has always been a source of annoyance to motorists, but along the trolley bus routes this nuisance has been practically eliminated.

The Tramway Board's policy has been to place trolley buses only- ou routes where the tramway tracks were worn and reconstruction was not deemed advisable. It is said to have been found, also, that if traffic on any route is heavy enough to warrant a ten-minute service, tramears are cheaper, but as the length of route increases and as, in consequence, capital charges on permanent way become higher in proportion to other costs, bus transport appears to be the bettor proposition. Absence o 1 Noise The comparative noiselessness of the trolley bus is an important advantage, particularly where buildings tend to increase in height. It is stated that in some gre.it cities, particularly in Sydney, to. quote a recent example, as buildings have grown higher the noise from tramears, apparently through being more confined, has become almost unbearable. A recent visitor to Christchurch said that for this reason the Sydney authorities had decided to pull up tramlines recently relaid and run a trolley bus service. Already in Christchurch the trolley buses, gliding smoothly along without the clang and rattle of tramears, j)lav an important part in reducing irritating street noises.