Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-19
j. s. BUS SYSTEM
LEADING EUROPE'S
Survey Shows Development
in Many Cities 0utdone
in America.

The United States is far in advance
of Europe In the development Of net
works of bus transportation systems
connecting major cities, according to
william H. Vanderbilt, great-grandson
Of the railway pioneer, who has just re-
turned from a survey Of bus transporta-
ton methods in leading countries Of
Western Europe. Mr.. Vanderbilt con-
Quoted the survey in his capacity as
head of the Short Line System, the
largest unified bus operation east Of
The Mississippi.
While the United States has already
developed great bus lines comparable to
major railroad systems. common carrier
lines of more than 100 miles in length
are the exception rather than the rule
in Europe. Mr.. Vanderbilt declared.
This situation exists despite the rela-
lively short distances between European
cities.
Among the findings reported we're the
development of bus systems by post
ONCE departments of Germany and
Switzerland to aid in distribution of the
mails and the existence Of a financial
interest in bus systems in some sections
by the state-oWned German railways.
Six-wheeled buses, BUSES with open
front seats and glass-paneled roofs, and
unornamented busses built like boxes
are among other features of European
bus transportation.
Germany, having no size restriction
on buses, has developed type Of much
greater carrying capacity than we have
here" Mr.. Vanderbilt said in his report,
made public recently. But while they
are large, some Of them six-wheelers,
they lack the pleasing design We have
developed in America. They are all
sharp angles and look bit like boxes.
The absence Of decoration accentuates
the plain, nat appearance. German
buses are built almost entirelysof metal,
and in the interest Of fuel economy and
reduction Of maintenance cost the en-
gines are very large and Of slow speed.
France and italy use the bus extern
sively for touring, the railroads vying
with the tourist companies In this de-
velopment. Good roads and small
percentage Of privately owned cars both
have helped further this development.
The touring service practically covers
all sections of these two countries. The
type of vehicle used is markedly differ
ent from those with which We are
familiar. Several rows Of seats in front
are in the open, while there are inclosed
seats in the rear for those who wish
protection from wind and sun. Some
Of these buses have paneled glass tops.
so built that the panels may be pushed
aside.
In local service in Paris and Berlin
extensive fleets of single and double deck
buses are in operation. Rome has re-
| Gently removed many Of its trolley
| tracks and Is using busses exclusively in
its congested downtown area.
England. and London in particular
has more busseS than any one would be-
lieve to be possible. They are large in
size, have certain luxury developments
for long distance travel that our buses
have not as yet acquired, are quite good
looking. Those in London are of the
usual double-deck type, carrying the
loads that our street car lines are still
struggling with here. And an organi-
cation exists that will start your motor
tour in England and carry you pretty
we'll over the Continent, development
which we are destined to see come to
the United States. 1t Is within the pos
sibilities that the Short Line may lead
the way"