WELLINGTON-JOHNSONVILLE RAILWAY

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 12, 13 July 1935, Page 8

WELLINGTON-JOHNSONVILLE RAILWAY

(To the Editor!) Sir,—ln your issue of the 11th inst. Mr. Bell sets out the case for bus transport, and as he is a practical bus operator his remarks are worthy of consideration. He. mentions that I have dreams of high-speed electric trains and that I do not at present Use either bus or train. That is correct, but my less fortunate fellow-man does, and he cannot afford the high bus transport, and I wish to help him. If the latest type electric multiple unit train became available I would be a regular customer as against the doubtful economy of taking a motorcar to town, finding difficulty in parking, and depreciation on car about the streets. Mention is made of the Hutt Valley, bjit our friends there are wealthy and used to paying high rates for their utilities. We are not interested.

Mr. Bell's arguments for bus transport are those usually seen in cm-rent motor transport journals, and are not applicable to this particular problem. The topography of this valley leaves the bus transport no advantage over modern rail operation. It is suggested that the present buses stop at everybody's gate, but it is interestingtto note that a check in the Ngaio district reveals the fact that the walking time to bus stops averages five minutes per person. The walking time to the prospective new stops on the railway is approximately the same.

Mr. Bell asks me to develop my arguments by stating the probable cost of electrification. This I am prepared to do if he is willing to publish his last balance-sheet to justify his refusal to lower the fares to Ngaio and Khandallah. The proposal placed before the Hailway Board is a commercial proposition and not an attempt to gain a social service at the expense of the taxpayer. It is obvious to Mr. Bell that if this district is eventually to be operated by bus it will not tolerate private enterprise but prefer that the profit be returnable to the people.—l am, etc., H. L. CUMMINGS, Chairman Central Railway Committee.