TRAMS FOR ALBERT STREET

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 966, 8 May 1930, Page 1

TRAMS FOR ALBERT STREET

• RECOMMENDED BY MANAGER SCHEME TO RELIEVE QUEEN STREET PAYING PROPOSITION FROM OUTSET rAT the time has come when Queen Street will have to be relieved of a large part of its tram traffic is being recog- [ nised by the Auckland Transport Board. The manager to the board, Mr. A. E. Ford, was recently instructed to furnish a report on the practicability of using Albert Street as a route for the purpose in view. It is understood that Mr. Ford will recommend that the board proceed with the line, which he estimates will amply V repay expenditure on its construction.

It i* known that Mr. Ford for some kina has recognised the necessity of finding a new outlet to relieve Queen Street, particularly in peak-loading tours. Now that recently completed extensions are in operation and new i.ars are on the road, and being constructed, tram traffic has greatly increased in Queen Street. There is reason to believe that Mr. Ford will recommend to the Transport Board the construction of a double ir&ck In Albert Street between Fanshawe Street and Wellesley Street West to connect both ways with the existing lines in those streets. The proposed line would permit of all western suburbs’ cars to be withdrawn from Queen Street and diverted by way Of Albert Stret, Wellesley Street West to St. Matthew’s corner. Hobson Street, thence to the suburbs. This route would be used both outward and inward. It is understood that Mr. Ford plans a terminus at the Government Buildings, which would provide a conlenient starting-point. A second proposed route has been by way of Lower Hobson Street, but it is extremely improbable that this will be considered, as it is too far to the west, and therefore distant from the loading centre, to be convenient to the public.

On a recent tour, Mr. Ford noted the trend of transport development In other cities and, in the course of an interview, has said that the time had arrived when the main city streets should not be expected to carry the car* for every route in the service. The means of accomplishing this thinning-out by the use of Albei* Stret ia now being recognised. Today there are no verandahs In Albert Street to provide protection for the public, and if the scheme is adopted

the necessary shelters will be provided. The use of Albert Street fob the Western Suburbs cars would allow of a diversion from Queen Street of nearly 1,000 trips each day over a tenth of which would be run at busy hours. The general effect would be the speeding-up of cars on every service. Recently, the cost of a double track in Albert Street to the points mentioned, including all accompanying work, was estimated at close on £30,000. The annual charges on this amount would be a little short of £2,500, on the basis of the cost o f money ruling today. A substantial saving, direct and Indirect, would amount to nearly £3,500 annually. Thus the line would be profitable from the outset. The report Is the result of a deputation from the West of Queen Street Development Association which waited on the board on November 26. 1929, and pointed out the benefits which would result from the construction of the line. A line along Albert Street through Victoria Street West and joining the present Hobson Street line at the Manchester Unity corner has also been spoken of, but this scheme is not favoured because Queen Street passengers starting from points in Queen Street between Victoria Street and tiie Town Hall, would have to walk too far to catch western district cars. If Mr. Ford’s proposals meet with the approval of the Transport Board, the next step will be an application to the Local Bodies Loans Board for sanction to hold a poll for raising the £30,00(1 necessary to put the scheme into operation.