Rail-road Co-ordination.

Unfair road competition continues to hit the European railways very hard. By degrees, however, many countries are introducing legislation to put road transport upon a proper footing, and in Britain there are being put into effect the recommendations of an expert unbiassed committee charged by the Government to investigate the whole problem of the relationships page 19 between rail and road. This committee recommended large increases in the license duties for commercial road vehicles, and the reduction of much of the heavy traffic at present moving by road. It also recommended that road transport should be subjected to suitable legislation in respect of conditions of service and wages of employees, as is already the case with the railways.

In France the railways—both Government and private—have followed the British example and are themselves engaging in road transport for both passengers and freight. At present an ambitious scheme for rail-road co-ordination is under review, providing for the establishment throughout France of numerous specially-planned transport zones. Each zone will have as its centre an important railway station. From there railway-operated passenger omnibus and lorry lines will serve as feeders to the rail, and enable many small roadside stations to be closed down. Rail services on numerous branch lines will be suspended, road motors being installed in their stead.