LINCOLN INTRODUCES BUSES.
Page 22
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The Motorbus Proves to be the Solution of a Twenty-year-old Transport Problem in the Cathedral City.
AFTER many anxious debates, extending over the last 20 years, the Lincoln City Council has eventually decided to develop their present transport
facilities, in the shape of an overhead tram service, from the city to Bracebridge, by the addition of eleven motor buses to cover the principal thoroughfares in the up-hill and east and west districts.
The decision was only made after very careful investigation, particularly on the financial side, and an amendment that only seven motorbuses Should be purchased was defeated by a narrow margin.
The orders for the buses are now in hand. Dennis Bros., Ltd., are .making the chassis of the 40 h.p. char-i-onnos type. The bodies are being Made by the Lincs. Automobile Services at Louth. They are single deckers, capable, of Rolding 32, including the driver. They are fitted with garden seats, and are partitioned off down the middle, but this harrier is not a complete one, and the) exits at either end can, if necessary, used for all passengers. The front exit is a series of steps leading from the front left hand of the bus. The question of possible routes is still very much in the air. As at present eenteMpLated, -there will be two. One will start from St. Mary's Street, leading up through the High Street (under the Stonebow), Silver Street, Lindom Road, Potterg,ate, Priory Gate, Northgate, Church Lane, Newport, Rasen Lane, Burton Road to Yarboro' Crescent, down Yarboro' Road, Hampton Street, West Parade, The Avenue, Newland, Guildhail Street, High Street to St. Mary Street. The second will have as its starting place St. Peter-at-Arches Church in the High Street, and then along Silver Street and Monk's Road as far as Spa Street, just beyond the Old Monk's Abbey, and the return along -.the same route. That is, as already stated, only., provisional, for the Corporation have ad excellent reputation. for sound, financial undertakings to keep up, said they have their eye on the very extensive building scheme cu the Wragby Road which, if and when econylete, will probably mean an additional population of at least 8,000.
In the south district, too, a very active public utility society has -established a high-class modern suburb known as Swanpool, and although the financial difficulties are at present crippling developments, it will undoubtedly have to be reckoned in the general area to be covered. Eleven buses will, therefore, very soon be found far too small a number to be of adequate service. It was hoped that the first chassis would be ready from the eoachbuilders yesterday (Monday), and that the bus i will be delivered n Lincoln in a month. After that date, the Corporation Electricity Department, which has the matter in hand, have arrangements with the chassis and body-builders for the delivery of one bus per week. This is particularly satisfactory in view of the fact that the Louth firm had its wood-drying kilns swept away in the disastrous flood which overwhelmed the town early this month. c40 It can be safely assumed that the bus service will be in thorough working order for the November race meeting in the city, and possibly for the international tractor trials, which are again to be held near Lincoln—this time at Searopton.
The question of fares has not yet been discussed. The Corporation is certainly not embued with undue optimism. Almost all the members anticipate fairly heavy losses an the first few years' working, but they have determined to tackle the transport problem in all sincerity. At the last-council meeting, Councillor Milner expressed the hope that the Electricity Committee would, at once, consider the advisability of running the buses on Sundays, and Alderman White willingly agreed to do so. Councillor Arthur Taylor, a Labour member, suggested that Parliament should be petitioned in order that excursions beyond the city might be planned for week-ends, and asked that . definite instructions should be given to the delegates to the Municipal Engineers' Conference to appeal for support to get the present restrictions on this point removed.