The government also nationalised other means of transport such as canals, sea and shipping ports, bus companies, and eventually, in the face of much opposition, road haulage.
Competition from the newer lines and from improving road haulage had drawn away much of the tramway's custom, and the trains would often run without a single passenger.
Empire is also advancing through the tendering process for the condensate road haulage contract with tenders going out to several local road transport companies.