The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-23

their fares and people refused to pay
the advance, a fleet of motor buSses
solved the problem by taking the Brook
lynltes to their places of business. They
rot only were able to operate profitably
on the lower fare basis but proved to
be quicker and far more comfortable
than the trolley lines
These economies are principally due to
the fact that the tremendous overhead
expenses of the surface car lines are
eliminated in the operation of, motor
busses. The bus is it's own power plant
and 1t consumes power only when in OPP
GRAFTON. Since it is speedier than the
surface car, bus can make more trips
per day, thereby increasing the reve-
nue. per unit of expenditure.
MANY ADVANTAGES
Motor bus routes offer many conven-
fences that cannot be offered by trac-
tion lines Another point-they unload
passengers at the curb which is much
safer. In case of a blockade, a bus
can detour. This fact at once works as a
benefit in two ways-it makes a more
dependable transportation system and
tends to relieve the congestion inciden-
tai to blockades. Not being confined to
tracks, busses can receive and discharge
passengers nearer to their homes Then,
too, we have the obvious fact that peo-
pie would rather ride in a motor bus not
only because of it's convenience, but be-
cause of the suggestion it conveys OF
pleasurable outdoors.
A movement that had its inception in
California and that is gradually spreading
to other parts of the country is the use
of motor buses to provide better educa-
tional facilities. BY the consolidation oil
rural schools and the use of busses tc
carry the pupils to and from them,
more complete curriculum is offered tt
| the children in rural districts. This i
but one instance of the adaptabiity o.
| the bus in the. development of sparseiA
! populated sections. Where traction sys
tenn is needed, but is too costly to b'
profitable, the economical motor bus car
be relied upon to fill the need.
There are seasonable needs for trans
portation service that can only ne ttlef
| by the motor bus. Summer resorts, fol
instance, often cannot support surface
car line the year through, while the bus
can be diverted to other channels gu
| of the busy season.
/ SOLVING LABOR PROMBLEMS
+ The motor bus is also a big factor II
solving the Industrial labor problem. Fac
: tory sites within city limits where laool
J is available are scarce. The use of husse
to carry employees to outlying section
where sites are obtainable is gradual!
I N'AS
| to the problem.
| A short time ago a party of ladies LET
Faston, Pa, in a pneumatic tired motto
bus to attend a matinee theatre perform
ance in New York city, distance o
us miles, by train. They left in I'M
morning, arrived in plenty OF time 10
/ the matinee and returned to their nome
[ in The bus that same evening Such il
fustrations of the potentalities of tn
motor bus make it easy to conceive IN
time when commuters will sravel u
business in buses more quickly and com
/ fortably than by means of suburea'
trains. Metal laid roads designed 10
one-way motor traffic with no speed nml
are inevitable
All through the development o. p@s So,
ger transnortation in every section from
tbe large city to the rural community
the motor bus will be felt more and NOR
as the years go by.