CITY PASSENGER TRANSPORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22754, 14 June 1937, Page 8

CITY PASSENGER TRANSPORT

Trams arc everywhere being superseded in city transport by motor or trolley buses. The reported intention of the London Passenger Transport Board to scrap the whole of its tramway system in favour of trolley buses represents but one example—albeit a most impressivo one—of the modern trend. Apparently its experience with the 107 miles already converted lias been so convincing as to encourage it to proceed with the remaining 212 miles, of which 112 miles are now in process of conversion. Other British municipalities have taken similar decisions and in Sydney within the past month tho New South Wales Government has decided to eliminate the tram. In most cases the changeover is taking place gradually for financial reasons, but the progress is cumulative. The question arises whether the Auckland Transport Board, noting these developments elsewhere, should not reconsider its long-term policy in relation to them. Over two years ago, reporting on his observations overseas, its general manager advised against the adoption of the trolley bus in substitution for the tram. Other experts appear to have readied different conclusions and, with the growth traffic congestion, the board might be inclined, on re-examination, to discover decisive arguments in favour of the change. The relative advantages of the two systems are well known and scarcely need restatement here. What is wanted now

is a thorough consideration of the problem, which might well cause the board to decide against any new permanent expenditure on the railbound system and in favour of a gradual development of more flexible vehicles with possibly, as in certain London areas, chief reliance on the trolley bus. 0