The Sun.
London, England, 1855-11-15 00:00:00

THE FRENCH OMNIBUS COMPANY AT

LOND ON.

So much interest has been of late excited in the Bri-
tish metropolis by the announcement that a powerful
French company was about to buy up the London om-
nibuses, and to work them on the system so successfully
pursued in Paris, that we ((lalignani) have thought it
worth while to take some pains to ascertain how far the
rumours in circulation were well founded. The result of
our inquiries has been to arrive at the fact that such a
company as that spoken of has been really formed, and
that the purchase of the London omnibuses by it is now
a fait accompli. What is now in contemplation is to
introduce all at once the various ameliorations suc-
cessfully adopted in Paris. These consist-Ist, of a
system of correspondence, which will enable the pas-
sengers to go from any part of London to another
on payment of one penny in addition to the ordinary
fare, which it is believed will be 4d., being at the
rale of about a penny a mile. 2dly of more roomy
ana commodious v.ehicles, with a separation' of places
by means of arm-rails. 3dly, a severe discipline amongst
the conductors and drivers, by which the utmost
civility
will be secured to the public. 4thly, the establishment
in e&eh omnibus of a check-dial' by which' the number of
passingers will be clearly indicated, as in Pa
the avoidance of competition, and
if its inevrliitea.blesthlY'
n.
comicant—racing through the streets ; and 6thl theee
creation of a pension fund, by whieli a provision' Y
will e
secured to old and deserving servants,
wen age has ren-
dered repose absolutely necessary. It is the intention of
the nev company to retain, as much as possible, the per-
sons at Present employed by the omnibus proprietors of
London, and it is believed that the plan of a pension-fund
will tend in a very marked degree to improve the de-
ria•anour of the conductors, since the provision for old age
will depend on their civility and hone-ty. The terms on
which the French company has purchased the London
omnibuses have been 5001. for each vehicle, with its
horses an harness, the goodwill of the business, lease of
stabling, :oil, in fact, every advantage possessed by the
late proprietors. The law expenses of the arrangement,
and some other incidental items of outlay, will add some-
thing
to the sum just named. Upwards of 800 vehicles
have been obtained by the new company, and some of
the most influential men connected with the omnibus
business in London—such as Messrs. Wilson, Willing,
Macnamarti,
and Johnson of Mark-lane—are to form
part of the board of directors. The new system it is ex-
pected
will be in operation by the sth of January. As
to the profitslikely to arise from the new plan as a com-
mercial undertaking, it must be observed that the Lon-
don vehicles have been purchased two-thirds cheaper
than those of Paris, and that the same capital will work
the 800 omnibuses of London as the 350 of Paris. In
addition, the London vehicles will not have to pay any
sum to the municipality, as takes place in Paris, and ;
which payment constitutes a tax of about 6 per cent. 1

BIRTHS.
Or A SON.

On the 14th inst., at Hulme House, Hampton-wick, the
wife of J. Weston, Esq.
On the 13th inst., at Old Charlton, Mrs. Chas. Nichols'

OE A DAUGHTER.

On the 13th inst., at Wilton-crescent, the Viscountess
Newport.
On the 7th inst., at Birmingham, the wife of T. S. Cap'
non, Esq., Lieutenant 96th Regiment—twins.