IRISH FREE STATE BUS TRAFFIC.
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Some Sidelights on Problems Which Have to be Faced and Interesting Figures Relating to the Industry.
W'HILST it might be wrong to suggest that passenger road transport in the Irish Free State has reached its zenith, there are indications that the number of vehicles at present operating is sufficient for the traffic that exists. It is true that there are districts inadequately served, but, on the other hand, there are sections of road upon which competition is altogether too keen, with the result that buses run almost empty at times. It is recognized by many bus proprietors that a. limitation of licences upon certain routes is necessary and the evolving of a route-cards system, similar to that recently introduced in Northern Ireland, has been the subject of serious consideration. Such a system, it is now admitted, safeguards at least some of the companies operating, even if it does restrict the possibility of additional owners entering the field.
During January buses operating in the Irish Free State carried 3,515,763 passengers and travelled 1,858,797 vehicle-miles, an average of less than two passengers for every mile. In January, 1928, 1,908,007 passengers were carried and 967,999 vehicle-miles travelled, giving a better average. In January, 3928, the average passenger receipts were 8.71d. per vehicle-mile, as against 7.10d. in January of 1929. Gross passenger receipts rose from £35,127 to £54,992 for the month, a very small increase in view of the other figures.
For statistical purposes the Free State services are divided into four sections, "Dublin and suburbs," "Dublin and other points," "Cork and other points" and "Other routes." The increase in vehicle-miles and in passengers between January, 1928, and January, 1929, has been approximately 100 per cent, in each section, but under "Cork and other points" vehicle-miles increased from 108,798 to only 182,175, whilst the number of passengers carried rose from 97,677 to 342,931: In this case gross passenger receipts should have increased, it would be imagined, by more than 100 per cent. Aetually; the increase was from £3,780 to £6,048. This suggests that the increase in passengers is owing to snore persons travelling over shorter distances.
The bus business " boomed " in Ireland in 1927. This is illustrated by the imports of commercial motor ve hicles. In 1925 imports were 162 vehicles ; in 1926, 238 vehicles; in 1927, 753 vehicles. During 1928 imports fell to 576 vehicles.
Greater co-operation between rival bus companies and mutual study of the problems with which the new industry is faced are necessary to-day in Ireland.