"TRAMS OR BUSES?"

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23220, 18 June 1937, Page 6

"TRAMS OR BUSES?"

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—When one reads the letters of your correspondents, "A Duhedin Woman" and "Trams for Preference," one is apt to pause and reflect on the mentality behind such absurd outbursts. A little reflection on the matter and a.comparison with other cities will showfthese correspondents that th'ey are talking through a hole in the proverbial hat. Dunedin. like Londonhas seen the coming and going of numerous public transport facilities London, the hub of the Empire,' naturally goes into much preparation and makes thorough tests before adopting a new form of transport as the occasion demands, and she has scrapped her trams and taken to the motor bus. The bus is the recognised, latest, and most efficient form of vehicle for this purpose, is cheaper to run, is not restricted to rails in the centre of the streets, and can be manipulated and garaged with less expense and labour. The trams on the Maori Hill line were old, very old, and, besides being in a shocking condition of repair, the tracks were bent and sunk throughout the whole length of the line. Surely, the Tramways Department carefully considers its movements, especially when it comes to abolishing a longestablished tramway system. It is only a matter of time. Sir. when Dunedin will no longer have the rattle of trams, but will possess a modern fleet of motor buses as Sydney has to-day. Mark my words, for they are prophecy!—l am. etc., Jeremias. Dunedin. June 7. TO THE EDITOR Sir,—lt is pleasing to notice the interest taken in the question of the merits of trams and buses. May 1 ask the Tramways Committee to place bc-

fore the public, particularly the hill residents, all the data accumulated so far about the relative cost of trams and buses: (1) Safety (most important); (2) time table; (3) cost to put trams, track and machinery in perfect order; (4) cost of buses and number required to handle the traffic; (5) time taken to load and unload trams and buses; (6) cost of running trams; (7) cost of running buses, including upkeep, depreciation, renewals, etc Trams can be improved in design. Spring seats would add to comfort.

Would the tramway authorities explain two recent happenings? A bus was marooned in Scarba street recently. Next day (Sunday) a bus was not able to pick up passengers waiting at Arthur street.

Personally, I am strongly in favour of the cable car from a safety point of view, especially in winter, as the bus, on ice-covered asphalt on a steep grade and a sharp curve, will be unmanageable and a very grave risk to life.—l am, etc., R. S. Black. Roslyn, June 17.