A study in the decline of the British street tramway industry in the twentieth century with special reference to South Yorkshire
The history of British street tramways is surveyed and contrasted with other urban transport modes from 1860 to date and the generally accepted reasons for the industry's decline summarised. These theories are then tested, illlustrated and amplified by three case studies of tramways in South Yorkshire, namely the small Dearne District, the medium-sized Doncaster and the major Sheffield undertakings. The history of each system is detailed with particular attention being given to later developments. In each case contrasts and parallels are drawn with competing modes--either motor buses or trolleybuses in this area--and with tramways in other parts of the country. The Dearne District tramway was loss-making throughout, and the reasons for inadequate receipts and/or excessive working and capital costs are examined, particularly by contrast with the competing and profitable Yorkshire Traction bus company, which ultimately bought out the tramway in 1933. The Doncaster tramways were more successful, alternating between profit and loss, but after World War I were subject to severe external restraints--such as stagnation in the local economic base and private motor bus competition--and also suffered from rapid deterioration
Buckley, Richard John
History ; Economics ; Regional planning
A study in the decline of the British street tramway industry in the twentieth century with special reference to South Yorkshire. The history of British street tramways is surveyed and contrasted with other urban transport modes from 1860 to date and the generally accepted reasons for the industry's decline summarised. These theories are then tested, illlustrated and amplified by three case studies of tramways in South Yorkshire, namely the small Dearne District, the medium-sized Doncaster and the major Sheffield undertakings. The history of each system is detailed with particular attention being given to later developments. In each case contrasts and parallels are drawn with competing modes--either motor buses or trolleybuses in this area--and with tramways in other parts of the country. The Dearne District tramway was loss-making throughout, and the reasons for inadequate receipts and/or excessive working and capital costs are examined, particularly by contrast with the competing and profitable Yorkshire Traction bus company, which ultimately bought out the tramway in 1933. The Doncaster tramways were more successful, alternating between profit and loss, but after World War I were subject to severe external restraints--such as stagnation in the local economic base and private motor bus competition--and also suffered from rapid deterioration
study decline_british street industry special_reference south_yorkshire history british street survey contrast urban transport mode generally_accept reason industry decline summarise theory test three_case_study south_yorkshire namely small district medium_sized major sheffield undertaking history system detail particular_attention_give late development case contrast parallel draw compete mode either motor bus area part_country district loss making throughout reason inadequate receipt and excessive working capital cost examine particularly contrast compete yorkshire bus company ultimately buy successful profit loss world_war subject severe external restraint stagnation local economic base private motor bus competition also suffer rapid deterioration