THE RAILWAYS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19852, 13 February 1930, Page 9

THE RAILWAYS.

EXCURSION TRAFFIC INCREASES. STATEMENT BY MINISTER. [THE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, February 12. Satisfaction with the results of the railway traffic during the Christmas and New Year holiday period recently concluded was expressed to-day by the Minister for Railways (the Hon. W. B. Taverner). He remarked that they warranted a continuance of the progressive policy to stimulate travel by rail. Mr Taverner said that the figures showing the comparative bookings as between the 1925-29 and 1929-30 excursion terms were now complete, and indicated a marked improvement compared with a similar period a year ago, both in the total number of bookings and also in the total revenue secured by the railways. During the two months from December 13th, 1929,, to January 11th, 1930, during which excursion tickets were available this year, altogether 13,348 more passengers were carried and the revenue increased by £9287.

"I desire," said Mr Taverner, "to indicate my satisfaction that the steps taken by the General Manager of Railways and his staff to create additional public interest in the railways as a means of holiday travel have met with so hearty a response from the public."

A circumstance favourable to the current year's results, the Minister remarked, was the fact that a change was mado in the length of time during which excursion tickets could be obtained, the period on this occasion being extended from three weeks to four weeks. "When considering the effect of this extension of excursioh facilities," said Mr Taverner, "it is noteworthy that for the week from January sth to lltli, 1930, there was an increase of 17,073 passengers, and of £12,783 in revenue over the corresponding week of last year. This clearly indicates that the present liberalising policy in regard to cheaper fares is having its effect in popularising the railways an;l increasing their usefulness to the public. The passenger traffic figures during the Christmas season havo now attained very large proportions, the total booked in the Christmas and the New YeaT holiday excursion period this year being 617,031 passengers, and the revenue derived therefrom amounts to £241,947, or close on a quarter of a million pounds sterling.''