THE TRAMS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 12793, 11 June 1909, Page 4

THE TRAMS.

The local trams have now been running fox* six mouths, ami the returns afford very interesting reading, and must be a source of great satisfaction to the whole community. For the six months ending 9th June, no less than 601,357 passengers were carried, and the net passenger revenue was J4297 0s 6d, a sum exceeding the most sanguine expectations of the promoters of the electric service. The number of car miles run was 82,358, the passengers per car mile averaged 7.3, the revenue per car mile was 12.52 d, the cars were run on, 178 days, the revenue per day was 1.7 d per passenger, 3378 passengers were carried per day on the average, while the average revenue per day was ,£24 3s Id. These figures are highly satisfactory, for, after providing interest and sinking fund in addition to maintenance charges, the six months' working gives a credit balance. This is more than the most hopeful electric tram advocate anticipated, and even hie Worship the Mayor's most optimistic calculations have been exceeded. Mr Mackay estimated that a five-car service would produce a revenue of .£7600, but practically a four-car service (for the fifth car has only been running for a short time) bids fair to exceed that sum. The takings per car mile, too, are remarkable considering the limited population to work on in Wanganui, the revenue of 12.52 d exceeding the average in some of the larger New Zealand centres where electric trams have been installed. There was a doubt expressed that the returns might not keep up in the winter, but experience proves that the revenue is higher on the wet days than when the weather is fine. When the larger suburbs are tapped and they will act as feeders to the main line in the borough and induce more traffic on it, the returns should be even more satisfactory. It was recognised that, even if there was a small loss annually, the convenience and other benefits of a tram service would more than compensate for any deficiency that might occur, so that Mr Mackay in particular and the community in general are entitled to be heartily congratulated on the result of the six months' working of the trams.