Road Competition in France.

Road competition and need for economy in working has led the railways of France to embark upon an especially interesting plan aiming at the full commercialisation and rationalisation of railway transport. At the outset the number page 22 of stations is to be drastically reduced, the idea being to increase the average distance between stations from the existing five kilometers to twenty-five kilometers. Under the new plan there will only be about 1,600 “station centres” or distribution points, in place of the present 8,000 stations.

For long-distance journeys, of 150 kilometers and over, the conventional form of train will be employed for passenger movement and for the haulage of freight in full wagon loads. Short-distance passenger business, and the haulage of small lots of freight will be cared for by road vehicles or light power units running on the rails. Connections with the main line services will be made at the “station centres” by road vehicles, some of which will be designed to run on either rail or road. An elaborate collection and delivery system will be instituted, employing motor trucks giving a door-to-door service, and a comprehensive telephone system will link all the outlying collecting points with the “station centres.” Perishables and live stock will be moved by fast road motors.