EASTER RAIL TRAFFIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 74, 28 March 1929, Page 10

EASTER RAIL TRAFFIC.

RECORD RUSH ANTICIPATED.

ROXXXNG STOCK FULLY TAXED

BETTER FACILITIES MUCH NEEDED

SCENES AT AUCKLAND STATION

TO-DAY.

Eastm rail- passenger traffic Is now in full swing and all outward and inward express trains were crowded to-day. Auckland's inadequate facilities for handling large nlimbers of passengers were taxed to the utmost and officers were hard pressed to find enough carriages to cope with the rush. Judging by tiie numbera of excursion tickets sold in advance, Easter, 1929, indicate a record. Many special trains have had to be requisitioned, and this circumstance has been responsible for a further drain on rolling stock. At present there are about to cars in the shops at Otahuhu which are half painted, and had they been ready the tax on seating accommodation Would have been much relieved. As it is M many cars as can be spared on other sections in the Auckland railway district haTft. been brought to the city in an endeavour to cope with the increased holiday traffic. The opening of the East Coast Main Trunk line has accenuated the position, Krticularly in view of the fact that ;re has not been an appreciable increase in the necessary rolling stock. Very Heavy Bookings. Up till noon to-day over 1700 people had booked by the Main Trunk expresses and special expresses to other places mentioned. This morning's outward express trains, With the exception of the one to Taumarunui, were full to capacity, and extra Cars had to be put on. The Rotorua train consisted of 19 total; the Taufanga express, 17 total; Whangarei express, 10 leaving Auckland, and 15 total leaving Newmarket, while a special express following to the north had eight full cars attached to it. On Saturday the Daylight Limited will run both ways, and a special train will be despatched from Wellington at 2 p.m. It should arrive in Auckland on Sunday morning. Monday will see four express trains funning between Auckland and Wellington and vice versa—probably more. That •veninpr a special night express will return from Rotorua.