The Motor Omnibus.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 5, 1 March 1906, Page 114

The Motor Omnibus.

The motor omnibus has an enthusiastic advocate in Mr. E. L. Holmes, of Melbourne. His evidence before the Railway Standing Committee was of a very interesting character, and forms a valuable summary of the advantages of this successful means of modern locomotion. In the course of a lengthy communication, Mr. Holmes states that the motor 'bus has long passed out of its experimental stage. In London alone, on October 19th last, no less than 149 modern motor 'buses were in active operation, and so great is the demand that it is estimated that over 2000 vehicles are on order for use in Great Britain. As an instance of the importance of this form of locomotion, Mr. Holmes points to the rapid increase by the large English railway companies, especially the Great Western, of feeder services of motor 'buses to connect their lines with small towns and villages. Mr. Holmes continues as follows :—": — " That London 'bus companies and English railway companies

have adopted the motor 'bus largely, and cannot obtain supplies fast enough, does not seem to carry the weight in argument which it undoubtedly should. Expert evidence shows that iod. per mile is full cost of running motor 'buses, allowing most liberally for depreciation, and yet local authorities hesitate, and in many cases " land " their citizens with " electrical " white elephants. A recent illustration of this has been shown at Oxford (Eng. ), where the Council called for comparative reports on motor 'buses and electric trams. The town clerk summarised the reports as follows .—. —

A receiver of stolen cars has been discovered in Chicago. At his establishment is a complete equipment for re-modelling, re-painting, and faking stolen cars, so that their owners cannot possibly recognise them. In the suburbs of Chicago a company of motor cracksmen attacks and robs passing motorists to such an extent that shot guns and revolvers are regarded by Chicagoans as essential motor accessories.

Motor 'Buses. Electric Trams. Electric Trams. Length of road served No. of vehicles . . Seating capacity No. of passengers No. of miles run Traffic receipts per mile run . . Working expenses per mile run . . Capital expenditure Total traffic re9 17 34 4,580,000 490,000 1 id. 8.70 d. 10 25 48 5,294,016 661,752 iod. 6d. £130,147 23 48 4,784,016 577.752 iod. 6d. £116,147 ceipts Total working ex-£27-573 £24.073 penses Loan charges, 6% Profit £17.750 £1,200 £3.570 £16,544 £7,809 £3.220 £i 4.444 £6,969 £2,660