PLATFORM MANAGEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 213, 7 September 1921, Page 4

PLATFORM MANAGEMENT.

We are not in the least surprised that, ac reported yesterday, an experienced traveller should describe the arrangements at the Auckland station for separating Main Trunk passengers and nonpassengers, as the most antiquated style of doing things lie had ever seen. This practice of not allowing non-passengers on the departure platform is an old grievance that does not grow lees irritating with age. A non-travelling husband accompanying his wife to the station has to bid her farewell at the barrier, and leave her to struggle on to the train—perlraps her seat will be at the far end of the train —with her luggage and likely a child or two. Men travellers do not mind the restriction much, but with women the hardship v real, and it is discreditable to the department that it should be allowed to persist. It is one of those small inconveniences of life that not only rankle, but add to the daily draft made upon physical and mental reserves, and it is resented all the more because it is unnecessary. No one suggests that the small departure platform -should be open to everybody without charge; the railway ollicials have to do their work, and passengers and their escorts should lie considered before the person who haw no real business there. A small charge would exclude the idler, and would be willingly paid by the non-traveller who wished to help someone on to the train. It is the custom in other countries to make such a charge and it used to be done in New Zealand. Threepence or even six pence would be willingly paid, and, aa wa-s suggested yesterday, the ofnoials could limit the issue to one person for every passenger. The extra revenue involved should appeal to the department in these timc<s of difficult linancc. If it han a soul above euch a consideration, it should be moved by the amount, of inconvenience caused by the present system. After all, the railways exist for the public, not the public for the railways.