NEW MOTOR 'BUS FOR OAMARU.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue 12998, 10 November 1916, Page 3

NEW MOTOR 'BUS FOR OAMARU.

Some particulars of the new and commodious motor bus that is at present nearing completion will no doubt be of interest to the public. The present bus during certain trips—on Saturdays chiefli - —often is. uncomfortably overcrowded, necessitating either running a second car or a bus of larger capacity. With a faith that the Oamaru people will show their appreciation of a really first-class service, the proprietor, Mr W. E. Searle, hasdecided on a large aud up-to-date conveyance in which seating accomodation will' be provided for 22. passenger?, while strength of chassis ana power of engine are provided for double that number on bills. The seats -wiH be well upholstered in best quality solid leather cushions. The sides and both ends of the. body trill be of glass. Electric lights will be fitted 'both inside and outside, and in place of the usual harsh sounding horn, an electric belt will be attached as a wanting signal. Electric press buttons will be fitted inside for tbe convenience of passengers desiring to alight. Entrance will, on ordinary occasions be by the front door past the driver, who will collect all fares as passengers enter, giving ticket in return for cash, or concession ticket received; while on busy days an additional large door at the back will also bo used for quick egress. Fares will be same as at present, excepting that regular passeqgers will be provided with concession tickets, u'z., twelve 3d _or eighteen 2d for 2s 6d, and a 4d section -will be re-introduced to the first road on the west side 'beyond the boundary. The time-table will be slightly altered so a to allow the bus to leave the Post Office for Waitaki avenue practically every hour, and also the half hour of the clock, beginning at 11 a.m. The exceptions being 12.30. 1.30 (except on Saturdays), 3, 4, and 5.30 p.m., .from the Post Office; and from Waitaki avenue at 12.1-5, 1.15 (except Saturdays), 3.15, 4.15, and 5.45 p.m. The additional trip to the north end leaves the Post Office at 11 a.m. and Waitaki avenue at 1115 a.m., timed to reach town to allow passengers to catch the first express north. In fact- the timetable has been arranged with a view to reaching town iu time for all express trains, ay closely as possible. The south end run will b>b continued as at present in the afternoon at 3 p.m., 4 p.m.. and 5.30 p.m., via Severn street to Junction Hotel, along Arun street to the corner.; of Avon and Wharf streets, via Wharf street to the Post Office.

When commencing the present service about three years ago ,Nlr Scarle, on -making a careful estimate of costs.of running, calculated on a loss averaging £2 per week over the first year's running, reckoning it would take a vear to create a business for the bus. Results of the first year's running turned out exactly as anticipated, and liad it not been tiiat this was fully expected, Mr Soarle assures us lie Touid certainly hnve abandoned the business. Unfortunately, just as the present is beginning to show a email balance on the credit side the 'bus now used is proving too small on some runs, while on others itis running practically empty. With increased size of btu». there must, of necessity, come further increased cost of running, and residents of the north end will no doubt be surprised to know that th? present takings will not meet the running costs of the new bus bvbetween £3 and £-1 per week. Mr Scarle is i hopeful that residents of the north endespecially, will show their appreciation | of this iiew and first class service, bv [ better patronage if the bus sen-ice is i to be kept running, otherwise it may be I necessary to abandon the service perma- | nently.

With the extra seating accommodation. the excuse of '"want of room" can- | not be urged, -while north end residents should not be blind to the fact that a regular first-class motor bus service i increases the value of their property [ over the boundary, whereas, if it beI comes necessary to withdraw the bus from the service for lack of sufficient support to jmt running costs, it means a decrease in the value of north end property. In order to reduce running costs, caused by frequent stops and starting, the new" bus will stop only opposite street corners, vie., Athenaeum, Wear street, FarmerV Co-op>, Eden street, Ribble street, etc., (Dee street except-

,cd). Tlie- feus will ndliere strictly to the west side of Thames street going northward, and the east side going southward. It is expected that tho bus will reach Oamaru in time for the Show traffic next week.