FROM THE ARCHIVES:The closure of the Donnybrook tram service was welcomed by a columnist who went under the pen-name Civis.
WHEN THE last cars leave Nelson Pillar to-night for Donnybrook and Phoenix Park a further five or six miles will be added to Dublin’s many miles of disused tramway tracks, and some hundreds of tons of extra iron and copper overhead equipment will be available to meet exigent foundry requirements.
With the disappearance of the track from Nelson Pillar to the North Circular road only two main tramcar routes will remain – the services to the Rathmines and Dalkey areas. From College green westwards, and from the Nelson Pillar northwards, Dublin traffic will be clear of track-bound vehicles with the exception of the line from Nelson Pillar to Howth, which must apparently be maintained until certain legal difficulties have been overcome. Why the fourth surviving route – from Rathmines to Ballsbridge – continues to obstruct the flow of traffic is a secret of the Tramways Company, but its early demise may be taken for granted. […] When, then is the last car likely to pass over O’Connell Bridge, and the last central standard be removed from Westmoreland street? A year ago the Irish Times hazarded the forecast that the tramcar would have passed into history before next New Year’s Day. A forecast that appeared to be set at naught by the eventualities of war. Yet, thanks to the enterprise and resourcefulness of the Tramways Company, a forecast that may even yet prove to have been justified! When, three years or so ago, the Irish Times prophesied and advocated the abandonment of tramway services the opposition of large bodies of citizens, and, incidentally, of traffic authorities and shareholders, was strenuous. Eloquent and impressive pleas were entered for the steel-track vehicle, because of its superior comfort and carrying capacity. Slowly but surely such doubts were dissipated. To-day, while some critics of the change remain, the double-deck ‘bus has won its way among both passengers and vehicle owners; and shareholders who saw nothing but disaster in the demise of the tramcar have discovered that the Irish Times was right when it foretold brighter days to come from ‘bus revenues.
Others than vehicle owners and passengers and shareholders have also reason to rejoice. As tracks and overhead equipment take their departure our streets present a new sense of spaciousness and of freedom from disfiguring networks on the skyline. From whatever aspect the change may be regarded, be it utilitarian or aesthetic, the rubber-shod vehicle has won the day. It must be difficult for this generation to realise that many hundreds of yet active citizens witnessed the departure of the first horse-drawn tramcar from Nelson’s Pillar to Donnybrook, and that tens of thousands of those now among the middle-aged thought the last word in civic transport had been said when the first electric vehicle drew crowds of spectators from their desks and counters in Westmoreland street.