10 SEPTEMBER 1927, Page 17

RAILWAYS VERSUS ROADS [To the-Editor of the - SrEeTATon.} Sin,—With regard to

the letter of your correspondent, Mr. E. T. Brown, -in which he states that the complaint On the part of railway companies that they are suffering from motor trans- port competition is absurd, would point out that the fact that many branch lines are being run by railway companies at a loss is almost entirely due to the competition of motor omnibus services. An extremely large -section of the British public, which formerly travelled to its destination by train, now prefers to make use of the facilities afforded by the Motor transport companies throughout the country. One of the chief advantages of this mode of travel is that one is spared the necessity of walking to the local railway station for a means of conveyance to an adjoining district. A motor

'bus will stop almost anywhere on the open road for paisengers, and the halting-places in commercial centres are very conveni-: ent, saving an immense amount of walking for the harassed business-man.

Charabancs and 'buses are now almost entirely used for such purposes as school and factory outings, and many people regularly travel comparatively long distances by motor service, preferring the pleasures of the road to the flashing glimmer of the countryside as it appears to the occupant of a seat in a commonplace railway compartment.—! am, Sir, &c., R. M. GROVE ANNESLEY. Annes Grove, Castletownroche, Co. Cork.