Bus Trailers Dying Out • A FTER referring to the increased congestion
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caused by private cars in large towns and the consequent need for standardizing the dimensions of public service vehicles, Mr. Miesher forecast that the use of bus trailers would be discontinued except for external and suburban services. An articulated motorbus recently introduced in Zurich had proved unsuitable for use in the town centre; according to one authoritative opinion, the best vehicle for the service was a smaller double-decker.
Information received from a number of undertakings indicated that the speed of a motorbus or trolleybus was reduced by 10-15 per cent, when drawing a trailer capable of carrying up to 60 passengers, Judging by scanty data. said Mr. Miescher, the cost of a trailer was about 30-50 per cent, of the cost of a bus with a capacity of up to 100 passengers, and the maintenance cost was 30-40 per cent.
Liquid fuel costs were increased by 25-40 per cent. and electrical current costs by 20-25 per cent. There was no gain with regard to wages, unless the trailer combination replaced a bus operated by two men.
Trailers were in use with motorbuses and trolleybases in 25 towns, the majority of these being in Germany.