The Motor Movement in Iraq.
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TTITI motor vehicle has been one of the most important factors in the progress that Iraq has made since the war, and already public-service machines are seriously competing with the railways, particularly in the Bagdad district. There are about 3,650 miles of road in the country, which, however, pass through two distinct phases each year. Thus from December to March, during the rainy season, they are almost impassable for days at a time, and, as they dry very rapidly, the roads are left in a very rough condition. From April to December, however, they are generally good and enable motor vehicles to attain comparatively high speeds,
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although the absence of culverts and bridges calls, at all times, for careful driving.
The imports of motors are steadily increasing, and from only 210 vehicles of a value of 359,587 rupees imported in 1923-24 they rose to 725 vehicles of a value of 1,349,541 rupees imported in 1926-27, whilst during the five months from April to August last inclusive they numbered 454 vehicles valued at 1,037,419 rupees. A return recently issued shows that at the end of September last there were 338 vans and light lorries (mostly cheap American products) and 102 light goods and passenger transport vehicles registered in the coun
try, in addition to 31 tractors and 113 heavy motor lorries; of the last named only 30 were given as being of British make.
There are now seven concerns in the country (including the Nairn and Eastern Transport Co.) operating public motor services for the transport of passengers and goods. Six of them normally run a semi-weekly service between Iraq and Syria, but this is amplified in the busy season. A service to Persia is run in accordance with demand and emergency, whilst one of the concerns runs a weekly service between Basrah and Koweit and other services may soon be inaugurated.