NOTTINGHAM'S MUNICIPAL BUSES.
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A New Policy Favouring the Extension of Bus Services.
IN -welcome contrast to a former doubtful policy, under which the Nottingham CorPartition's bus services were confined to very small proportions, the municipal authorities in the metropolis of the lace industry have lately considerably amplified their resources in that direction and now contemplate further extensions, the necessity for which has been amply demonstrated upon the score of public convenience.
In favouring the development of tramway communication to the exclusion of a more flexible means of transport, the council had long permitted private proprietors to reap the remunerative results of enterprising work, but a different view now obtains, leading to the exploitation under public direction of many routes which have been hitherto neglected. Already a large suburban traffic has been created by the corporation vehicles, affording means for expeditious communication with Beeston and Elucknall Torkard, two of the largest townships in the immediate neighbourhood of Nottingham, whilst within the city area many desir
able additions have been made to the itineraries.
A further extension of the municipal work has now been determined upon by the institution of a new bus service that will meet the needs of residents in the Mapperley district, which constitutes the city's greatest altitude. The area is already partly served by trams, but as these run in straight lines from the centre of the city to the present terminus, a largely populated neighbourhood 'on one side is left uncatered for, it being intended now to remedy the deficiency by inaugurating the service from such a point that it will proceed at right angles to the existing lines, taking within its scope an area which presents further substantial possibilities of lucrative returns.
The consideration is still being accentuated that there are many other directions in which. the Nottingham municipal bus services might with advantage be extended and from the largely altered policy which has been recently adopted by the responsible municipal committee there appears reason for the anticipa
tion that the opportunities which ai'b thus Present will not be permitted to be much further neglected, one of the leading members of the council having already gone to the length of suggesting that the tramway system is doomed to ultimate extinction.
Railway Termini as Motor Parks.
At a meeting of the Eastbourne Watch Committee a letter was read from the Southern Railway stating that the company is anxious not to part with the forecourt (now railed in). in front of the station premises and suggesting that the alterations which the company proposes to carry out there are of such a nature as to render unnecessary the purchase by the corporation of that particular piece of land. They therefore suggest that the question be deferred until the alterations have been made, when it will be seen whether it will be necessary for the corporation to carry out any improvement in the roadway which would render the land necessary.
'Letters were read from the town clerks of Margate and 13roadstairs stating that an arrangement has been entered into with the railway company whereby, the corporations pay it an annual sum, viz., £300 and £100 respectively, for the privilege of hackney carriages standing to ply for hire on the station approaches and that on the issue of hackney carriage licences, a sum is collected (viz., approximately £345 15s. to £104 respectively) from the licence holders whose vehicles use the stand to cover the amount payable.
Season Tickets for Buses.
The Penarth U.D.C. is negotiating with bus companies plying in its area to introduce the season-ticket system for regular passengers. Messrs. White's Motors have intimated that they will comply with the request and the Cardiff Council is considering the matter. The Penarth Council, too, is anxious that a bus service should be founded to Penarth North.