The origin of the word “transport” is Latin (transporto: send, carry, or convey across). In Georgian primitive means of transport were used from ancient times. According to Ivane Javakhishvili’s “History of Georgian Nation”, there was four day’s carriage road built from Shorapani until the border of Iberia.
Fast growth of capitalism caused the development of transportation as
the separate field of industry. During the industrial revolution (in late XVIII
and early XIX centuries) Trade expansion was enabled by the introduction of
canals, improved roads and railways. In the XIX century with the introduction
of steam power and powered machinery first steamers appeared. In the early XX
the total length of the railroads throughout the world totaled 1114 thousand
kilometers. Air and road transport developed rapidly in the Soviet Union.
Let us scroll through the Georgian newspapers of early XX:
Iveria,
Februari
2, 1901 № 27
As The Kavkaz newspaper informs, self propelled carriages, so called
automobiles will travel between Kutaisi and Oni in the nearest future. The
vehicles can carry 300 pounds of load and will travel 19-22 versts in hour.
The Tsnobis Furtseli
February 27, 1902 № 1737
The major carriage lesser Khanuma of Ibrahimbegov decided to launch
automobiles on the Caucasian road as soon as she is granted the permission by
the relevant government bodies. In summer the automobiles will cover the whole
distance, while in winter they will travel until Mleta, as they are unable to
travel in the heavy snow conditions.
The Iveria newspaper
November 5, 1903. № 236
On November 3 citizens of Tbilisi, Tripon Jamaspov and Markar Bek-avakov
applied city hall with the appeal to grant them permission to start automobile
traffic in Tbilisi. In the beginning, they will purchase 20 automobiles, 10 for
public traffic and 10 for the load. In case of growing demand, they will expand
the operations. The fare for traffic in the areas where tramway passes will be
1 kopeck per person – cheaper than the tram fare. In other parts the fare will
be 5 kopecks. For cargo carriage the fare will be as follows: carriage of one
pound of load from the railway station to the city centre will cost 1 ½
kopecks; from the one bank of the town to another – 2 kopecks. The
concessionaires will pay 7% of revenues in favor of the town. The
concessionaires have already deposited 1000 rubles to offset the taxes and
maintenance of vehicles.
The Tsnobis Furtseli
July 21, 1904 № 2560
Prince I. D. Orjonikidze, Retired Colonel Prince G. M. Shervashidze,
Juror A. P. Lebedinski, Prince K. D. Eristavi, Kutaisi Resident I. Kakabadze
and Merchant S. Rukhadze applied the governmet to grant them the permission to
start automobile traffic in Kutaisi province.
If the supreme government of Caucasus grants the permits the automobiles
will travel between Kutaisi and Khoni and between Ozurgeti and Natanebi.
Kakabadze and Rukhadze have already been granted the permission to start the
venture between Kutaisi and Khoni.
Nancy Kikvadze