Road Transport's War Services Must be
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Remembered
AWELL-KNOWN paper in the generaltransport field, Modern Transport, in its leader of September 28 made certain remarks which we regard as somewhat significant in view of the fact that, as its title implies, this paper is concerned with every form of locomotion.
The statement is made to the effect that every resident of London suburbs will view road-rail problems in a new light after this war, and it may be hoped that the Government will fully appreciate the vital need of the services road transport can render the Nation in emergency, and the obvious need, therefore, of its maintenance and development in peace-time . . We must make certain that there is no underestimation here in future of road services and their value. . . It is obvious that when business men and evacuees can make a 90-mile journey from London by motor coach in less time than is occupied by train, it is indeed fortunate that we continue to possess a strong network of coach routes with sufficient rolling stock and trained crews to rise to the occasion. . . It may be hoped that north country coach restrictions on grounds of fuel economy will not prove to have been costly mistakes, whilst we may congratulate ourselves that the road-freight industry has, sa far, been able to withstand repressive attacks. On several, days it has been no less fortunate for the people of London suburbs that a good supply of lorries and private cars was available to tide over gaps in public transport.
Such frank admissions constitute a striking tribute to the value and comparative safety of transport by road, whether it be for passengers or for goods.