CROWDED TRAMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24195, 10 February 1942, Page 6

CROWDED TRAMS

AUCKLAND PEOBLEH ONLY ONE SOLUTION FOUND SPREADING PEAK TRAFFIC Petrol restrictions have caused a heavy increase in tram traffic in Auckland and new difficulties have -been created for the system, which was already overburdened. Transport authorities are agreed that to spread the'peak traffic over a longer period is the only solution of the serious crowding of trams. This method was -adopted in Great Britain and the United States by regulation as .soon as the situation created by the war demanded it, and it has been an immediate and unqualified success. However, there are no signs yet that official circles in the Dominion have any similar regulation in view. Hours of capacity loading are approximately from 7.30 to 9 a.m., and from 4.30 to 6 p.m., but the tendency in Auckland, stated the engineer and manager of the Auckland Transport Board, Mr. A. E. Ford, yesterday, was for the peak traffic periods to shorten, rather than to spread out, in spite_ of appeals to the public to avoid travelling during the rush hours whenever possible. Although the system is being stretched to the limit to meet the demands of the travelling public, forward planning has been able so far to meet every contingency. One problem that has affected other cities more seriously than Auckland is that of staffing, but in view of the fact that 78 employees, including 59 in the traffic department, havr been called up in the last ballot, this matter must become more urgent shortjy. . • There are no insurmountable difficulties in the way of building tram bodies in New Zealand, but motors are unprocurable. Fortunately, those in service are standing up well to the strain of capacity-loaded vehicles. Another problem is the adequate maintenance of brakes, which wear more seriouslv than normally under the existing conditions of stress. Their replacement has been a hand-to-mouth process, but here again there has been no shortage for immediate requirements. As rails wear, it is intended to replace them in due course with those from sidings and other less-used parts of the permanent way. Stocks of copper trolley wire are adequate and by improvising in this fashion, the service can operate for some considerable time before shortages compel curtailment.