TRANSPORT SERVICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23882, 9 August 1939, Page 5

TRANSPORT SERVICES

TO THE EDITOR

Sir,—l have read Councillor Gibson'*; explanation of the runaway bus on Rattray .street on an evening of the srsowstorm. He . must have a poor opinion , of. the-, intelligence of the average Dunedin citizen when he expects "us to believe an explanation which reads;thus: "Owing to the abnormal conditions caused by the snow becoming. .frozen immediately it fell, the chains became worn through, causing the bus to cast seven of the set of fourteen .fitted," His report also states that the chains < were fitted at 7.45 p.m. at Rattray street. The mishap occurred on the 8.15 p.m. trip from Kaikorai. . I have personally inspected the chains us;ed by the Transport Department, and they are of the extra heavy variety and rightly so. too. But to suggest they would wear through on frozen snow in two miles and a-half (in 20 minutes), is ridiculous. Councillor Gibson also states that the bus was never out of control. If it was not, why the necessity to bring it to rest in the Cathedral garden plot. Why? Why not, at the first sign of panic, bring it to an ordinary service stop? I have reliable information that a bus proceeding downhill in the low gear, which, the Tramways Departments operators,use on that grade, is, owmg to a special governing device fitted to the engine, unable to revolve the wheels at more than 10 m.p.h. Now in- Councillor Gibson's, report, the velocity of the bus was stated at from 15 to 20 m.p.h. Therefore, I submit the bus/was definitely sledging, and so out of Control. If the wear was so abnormal: will Councillor Gibson tell us—in fact I challenge him to do so—why the tyres were not worn through on the same journey. Surely the softer rubber would have been an easier prey to the', ravages, of the "frost bitten snow than the steel links of the heavyduty chain. Maybe he would like to suggest, and ask us to believe, that the tyres were also worn off and the "slight jiggling" which the passengers felt was due to the outfit descending the declivity with considerable velocity on the rim?. The City Father would do well to remember this is -not the Victorian Age, and that people, especially the young do not get panicky .at 15' m.p.h. I know two young, ladies who weie passengers on that trip, and thev tell me it was a nightmare, and that they would never ride down in a bus again in any circumstances. That does not sound like slight jiggling, does 1 In spite of : Councillor; Taverner's , statemerit,?egarding .a.poU ,of. the ratepayers,' 1 the' Mayor's rUlftig; is .the correct ohei. and; beforevthe/ transport system 'Ms" a poll must now be taken. I* suppose the council and - tramways manager are aware that they are -.UaMeto- a heavy penalty (approximately £25 per day; for running their trial bus service on Rattray street/without, first; having obtained an amending ■ Order-m-Council. I have rioted the Mayor's.remarks about letters written over a hoih de plume. I certaiftly agree that i on? should, be, sure of before going to print. I regret that, much s Rouuflfke to, I amenable to use my siimature. If I were to do so certain avenues of reliable information would immediately become closed towe.- i am. etc.. - • •' ■ The Saint. ,