Johannesburg tramways

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JOHANNESBURG TRAMWAYS existing minimum was 2d), to reduce in part the disparity between peak and off-peak traffic. Turning now to more specific recommendations on services, the Commission suggested that the southern suburbs enjoyed too generous a service and that this should be reduced from four tram and several bus services to one tram and three bus services. As these areas had no severe gradients, diesel buses could be used, but, since their operation would be at first experimental, the tram track should be left in position and tram service resumed if traffic increased. The tram service to Crown Mines should be resumed, while the feeder bus from Mayfair to Mayfair north should be discontinued. Traffic on the Parktown North-Rosebank section was very light and, as it was already paralleled by a bus service, it should be withdrawn without further replacement. On all other bus services, except that to Bramley, double-deck vehicles should be used. When trolleybuses actually took over the service to Norwood, the fare should be reduced to the former tram level of 3d. During the previous few years, new building between the Observatory and Bezuidenhout Valley had generated much traffic, which was being handled by a bus service running parallel to the tram service to Judith Paarl. This tramway should therefore be extended to Third Street and the bus service withdrawn. The feeder bus which had replaced the Wolhuter trams should also go, since it was carrying few passengers, but the tram track should be left in situ in case of future developments. Generally, the tram services were being hampered by long stretches of single track and, apart from the Melville route; these should be doubled as soon as possible. The maintenance and the cleanliness of rolling stock should both be improved and all cars should be fitted with improved interior lighting and destination indicators. The Commission reported that there was no truth in, the suggestion that the hand-brakes on the four-wheel cars were inadequate, but for the sake of standardisation, it was suggested that these cars should receive air brakes. This would also help to speed up the service. Since four-wheel trams were inadequate

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