The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-06-21
CARS IN ENGLAND
Some Interesting Facts Conoern.
ing Their Management
Overcrowding Is Prohibited by Law and
Charges Are Regulated by the Dis
lance Traveied-An Admirable
Time System.

If the American aldermen would take
a few trips on the tramcars Of the great
provincial cities, say Liverpool, Man
chester, Birmingham-where the city
owns and operates them-York, etc,
and those of the metropolis itself, he
would return to America admirably
fortified by experience to renew his at
tack upon or his appeal to the street
railway companies of the municipality
he in part represents for superior ac-
commodations for the long-complaining
passengers, says correspondent of the
Boston Transcript. The system here
Is as well-nigh perfect as it is possible
to be; and am not quite certain but
that parliament itself, In granting
charters to various common carrier
companies applying for them, makes
the stipulations which prove so con-
ducive to the comfort Of the travelling
public.
During the past few months I have
patronized the tramcars and omni-
buses quite extensively, but thus far
have failed to observe the least bit Of
overcrowding or any delay or in fact a
single word on the part Of driver or
conductor which could by any stretch
of imagination be construed as uncivil.
In the first place, there Is no question
but what the law distinctly states that
there shall be no overcrowding; that
there shall be so many on a seat-not
lone more-but if necessary one passen-
ger may be permitted to stand. This
applies to both inside and out. / do
not know the reason of the concession,
but this is certain, that under this adj
mirably arranged order of things the
humble or distinguished and exalted
can take a penny or two-penny or moro
expensive ride, preassured that it will
not only be without Inconvenience
and annoyances but with ease and
pleasure. IL conductor was to per-
NIT a second person to stand either in
side or out he would be instantly re-
Ilieved by one of the inspectors on the
route who at intervals board the cars
to check the way bill, which shows the
number of passengers carried during
the journey. The incivility which one
occasionally experiences In American
cities of drivers declining to take notice
of would-5o passengers waiting on the
sidewalk is practically unknown here,
for the men know full well that two
complaints of this character would cost
them their situations.
To every passenger is given ticket
from q package numbered consecutive
ly, which must be shown when called
for by the conductor, though this very
proper provision is rarely exercised, for
the young conductor, who Is invaria bly,
bright fellow, seldom makes a mis-
take as to who has paid and who has
not. In the matter of boarding or
alighting from the car the ends of the
conveyance are used, but only one at az
time. That is to say, the door where
the driver stands is not used for the
time being, the passenger always maxi
ing his or her exit from the end of the
car, and the same upon entering it. In
this way any possibility Of accident in
that direction is avoided. The schedule
of time for starting and arriving at
certain points en- route is admirably
maintained, and the experienced trav.
eler knows almost to the minute what
time car will arrive at a certain spot,
though the place may be two or three
miles from the depot So really think
it may be truthfully said that the en-
tire arrangements and details of the
street car system in England are as
nearly perfect as possible. There is
very important advantage which the
passenger has here which the directors
of companies in America do not vouch-
safe. In Boston, for instance, every
passenger pays five cents if he rides for
Ave blocks; here You can go couple of
miles for penny two cents). If the
average Englishman had opay out Ave
cents for miles ride he most certainly
wonld walk. The principle the less the
distance the smaller the cost encour-
ages riding and keeps the cars well
filed.