CHEAPER RAILWAY FARES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 123, 26 May 1932, Page 10

CHEAPER RAILWAY FARES.

POIJCY SUCCESSFUL GOODWILL OF PUBLIC. The policy of the Railways Board in cheapening fares- had been successful, said Mr. H. H. Sterling, chairman of the board, yesterday, in making reference to the work of the board for the past twelve months. "The board has appreciated the fact that to attract business under present conditions, services require to be down to bedrock as regards price," Mr. Sterling added. On the goods side, the board found that much had already been done to bring charges to a level that would themselves attract business. On the passenger side, tho board found that the experiment had been tried of increasing railway fares in order to increase the revenue, but it had come to the conclusion that a policy of cheapening fares was worthy of a trial, not only from a competitive point of view, but from the broad national aspect of making the people's service accessible to people oi limited income. "As was announced some time ago, a reduction of fares was decided on," said Mr. Sterling, "and the experience so far i indicates that the board's action in that connection has been appreciated not only by an accession of passenger business in the face of a severe general depression, but also in an accession of good will, resulting from a general appreciation of the board's idea of providing transport to suit the pockets of the people. "As I have already indicated, continued Mr. Sterling, "tho board in its policy of rigid economy has kept a careful eye on the standard of service. Facilities' for rapid transport of goods and parcels are being afforded on every hand. On tho passenger side tho policy of running excursion trains at bedrock rates has been further developed, while the comfort of passengers has been met by tho provision of more up-to-date cars and improvement in the seating of present rolling stock."