The Motor Traffic Problem in Dublin.
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There are few towns of any considerable size in Great Britain and Ireland where the initial difficulties are likely to be found so formidable, as they undoubtedly are in Dublin, by those who would have the enterprise to initiate and control any service of commercial vehicles.
The extensive tramway system and innumerable jaunting cars hardly leave a gap in the traffic system of sufficient size to warrant the introduction of motorcabs or motorbuses. The tramcars run to Inchicore, Kingstown, and Howth, at a cost of a few pence for the whole of the journey. The manager, Mr. C. H. Gordon, with his many years of experience in various parts of the world, is keenly alive to the advantages of comprehensive and efficient service. Circular routes, through tickets, trip tickets, special trip cars, tramway guides, and excursions are all evidence of managerial keenness. A tram line runs near to every street in the city, and it is unlikely that motor omnibuses could efficiently compete for the traffic, which is at no times excessive, either within the city or to the outlying districts. The long stretch of road from Sackville. Street right up North Wall seemed, to some promoters, a year or two back,. to present the only field for a bus service, and a single-deck. machine was started but North Wall is very narrow, and badly paved; traffic is usually congested there; the Irish car-driver was disobliging ; passengers were very few ; and, in spite of clever stage management on the part of the promoters, the scheme fell through. The advantages of the motor delivery van, from the points of view of its advertising value, increased radius, etc., do not yet seem to have appealed to Dublin. Switzers, in Grafton Street, the Dartry Dye Works, the Kilkenny Woodworkers, and a few other firms have shown commendable enterprise, and are reaping their reward; but there is still a large field undeveloped in this direction. Although Guinness and Sons, Ltd., gave up its steam wagons. for local delivery, largely on account of the badly-laid, sett
road-ways, a considerable demand is certain to arise for heavy wagons, for the town-to-town deliveries of millen,. brewers, and mineral water manufacturers, around Dublin, Belfast, and other large towns. Further, if there is one thing to encourage such private inter-urban enterprise, it should be the hopeless condition of the branch railways in many parts of the country.
It is only a few years ago that the London and NorthWestern Railway Company endeavoured to introduce the, hansom cab into Dublin, but its action created such a. storm of enmity that the offending vehicles were hastily withdrawn and the experiment was abandoned. The Dublin City Police regulations provide for a sixpenny cab,. or. outside-car, fare between any two points within the city. boundaries, and, although to many Englishmen the side-car seems to be an uncomfortable vehicle, with no accommodation for luggage, and no shelter from the elements, it cannot be denied that it is a light, handy conveyance, and, driven. by a good man, a considerably higher average speed is. maintained than is the case with the London hansom. That the Irish jarvey is a rapacious personage goes without saying. It is quite certain he would resent the introduction of a taximeter, in no uncertain tones, and it is questionable whether the outside-car would not more than hold its: own with the more expensive, if more comfortable, taxi.
It may be that the taxicab, for street service, as we understand it in London, is not yet likely to find a place on Dublin's cab ranks, but Dublin is the centre of most of' the gaiety of the island, and most of the money is spent there. Private johmasters ought to be doing remunerative. business, hiring a better class of car for runs to many of' the beauty spots in the vicinity, and in connection with all' the social and sporting events for which Dublin is famous. This all requires enterprise, and Ireland is not a rich. country. With all its Home Rule tendencies, in many ways:, it is very conservative.