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Manchester plans will rely mainly on 'duorail' but buses
Page 49
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BUSES will still deal with the greater part of commuter traffic into Manchester even if a proposed "duorail" is introduced. This was forecast in reports considered by four of the city's council committees last week.
The idea of high-speed electric trains, running underground and on elevated sections, with a 2+-minute frequency and capable of carrying 30,000 passengers an hour at 40 to 60 m.p.h. was accepted as the backbone of an ambitious scheme to solve the city's transport problems. The 16-mile route is estimated to cost £61m.
The working party, headed by Mr. R. F. Bennett, general manager, Manchester City Transport, stressed the need for a rapid transit system to avoid jeopardizing the city's future prosperity.
The need for good bus services should not be underestimated, indicate the reports, and it was therefore necessary to improve road conditions. All-day carparking would be restricted to improve peak-hour services.
The working party rejects the suggestion of automatic "guided" buses or special
busways because of traffic management difficulties and prohibitive costs. However, it believes that conventional buses can be made viable and efficient again if road congestion can be alleviated. It is felt that the proposals could be made more effective if combined with improvements in bus feeder services and adequate car-parking space at suburban stations.
Having considered the reports, issued after a 17-month study of public transport needs by the working party representing Manchester Corporation, British Railways and the MoT, the committees have called for a further detailed plan.
The Minister of Transport has promised to make a contribution towards the cost of the scheme, but estimates are expected to have risen by 1973 when the first stage of the new system is expected to be built.
• LIVERPOOL will soon have a television system operated jointly by the traffic engineers and the city transport undertaking providing TV coverage on all major junctions in the city centre. It "will enable general traffic and bus movements to be controlled from a central office by computer-operated traffic signals", said Mr. F. A. Moffatt, traffic manager, at last Friday's annual dinner of Merseyside section, Institute of Transport.
• THE Midland General Omnibus Co., of Langley Mill, Derbyshire, is to launch one-man operated buses on four routes, including IlkestonNottingham and Alfreton-Nottingham services, on Sunday.