the system was handed over to the Corporation. The Corporation was empowered under Sections 41 and 42 of the Nottingham Improvement Act 1897 to operate the existing tramways, with the exception of that along Forest Rd, by animal or mechanical power. Seven new routes were also approved. The existing system continued to be operated by the Corporation, under the direction of the Manager Mr A. Baker. All vehicles were re-painted in maroon and cream with ‘Nottingham Corporation Tramways’ replacing the company name. In 1898 the Tramways Committee authorised the purchase of uniforms for the men operating on the tramcars, and made some improvements to the tramcars, including modifying the seats on the upper decks of double-deck cars to make them into "Automatic Rainproof" seats and installing clocks in each car on the Basford route. They also increased the service on the Basford route after mid-day, so there was a car leaving the Market Place every five minutes rather than every ten. The fare on the return journey between Newdigate Street and the Market place was reduced to 1d. The wages for the staff were also increased in 1898, drivers with three years experience were on 28s per week, and conductors 22s 9d. Over the next two years there was a dramatic rise in patronage and hence weekly revenue from the system with the average increasing from around £600 to £900 (),. The Tramways Committee also formalised the stopping places for the tramcars, and negotiated with the Corporation Lighting Committee to have the lampposts at tramstops painted in a distinctive colour with a different coloured glass in the lantern. Whether this was actually carried out is not recorded. The tramstops on Arkwright Street were determined to be Crocus Street, Cromford Street, Kirkwhite Street, Atlas Street, Glebe Street, Ryehill Street and Lamcote Street. Crocus Street and Lamcote Street were request stops only. The Tramways Committee met nearly every two weeks and the minutes record a constant stream of accidents and claims on the committee for damages too numerous to list here. There are complaints by shopkeepers against tramcar drivers who let their horses and cars stand outside the shop. There are records of payments to tramcar drivers who acted bravely in restraining horses which were startled and bolted. Despite the imminent introduction of electric cars, the horse tram rails still required maintenance, and the minute book records that the track outside the