DEFICIT ON PARIS PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
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THE report of the T.C.R.P. (La Societe des Transports en Commun de la Region Parisienne) for 1923 shows a loss of 86,036,124 francs. The report was presented to the Conseil General on December 30th, and a number of proposals were put forward with a view to straightening out matters in 1924.
The most practical suggestion was that of an increase of five centimes in the 2nd class fares, and 10 centimes in the 1st class (all Paris trains and buses have 1st and 2nd class). This proposal was, at length, passed by the council, but it required two days and a night of heated argument to get it through. Members persisted in dragging in all kinds of extraneous matter which had nothing whatever to do with the question under discussion. One Socialist member even attributed the whole deficit to the alleged militarist foreign policy of France. He concluded his speech by stating that France had now reached a position in which she was universally execrated by every country in the world, and compared her position with that of Germany ten years ago. This very naturally provoked a riot, and the sitting had to be suspended for some time to avoid bloodshed.
A Reduction in Fares Agreed Upon.
A useful proposal, which was made by two members, was the suppression of 25 non-paying lines of tramway, covering no less than 125 miles of line already served by the Metropolitan Railway. This proposal, although it was not passed at the time, will doubtless have to be (partially, if not completely) adopted in the near future. Many of the lines in question run through the very heart of the city, and c34 during most of the day the trams run half empty, the peak hours bringing the bulk of their traffic. Harsh criticisms were passed upon the adminstration of the company. To read some of them, one would imagine that the T.C.R.P. must be run on the lines of a Government department during the great war. Only in a very modest way; of course, otherwise the deficit would not be 86 millions, tout several thousand The wholesale f ranting of season tickets to the staff and all their friends and relatives was condemned, as also was the supply and upkeep of between 20 and 30 private cars, described as "automobiles de luxe," for the use of officials.
The Excellence of the Passenger Transport Services in Paris.
_ It is probable, however, that the T.C.R.P. will struggle along in spite of municipal and other criticisms. The services are really remarkably cheap and efficient, whether in the matter of buses, trams, tubes or steamers. The T.C.R.P. certainly cannot be accused of a lack of originality in advertising, although they have not yet gone in for such an extensive poster campaign as the London T.O.T. The latest illustrated guide produced by the company is published in an artistic cover and sold for 2f. 50. It contains a wealth of information, both extensive and peculiar. The guide is almost as easy to read as Bradshaw, and a week or two's study of it will enable you to reach any desired spot in Paris. Some of the reasons advanced for travelling by, motor omnibus in Paris are really delightful, as, for instance, "To have for your neighbours charming Parisiennes." Has the L.G,O.C. thought of thisl