CHRISTMAS RAIL TRAFFIC

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22591, 22 December 1938, Page 8

CHRISTMAS RAIL TRAFFIC

Unprecedented Early Bookings

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL TRAINS ALREADY FILLED

[THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, December 21. A record number of early bookings has resulted in all trains running between Auckland and such provincial centres as Rotorua, Whangarei, and Thames, on Saturday morning having all seats already booked. Although it is usual for Christmas holiday trains between Auckland and Wellington to be booked out, it is stated that such an experience with local trains is unprecedented. The early bookings are probably to a large extent caused by the recent increase in fares. This caused a large number of Christmas travellers to book their seats before the operation of the new scale, long before they usually do so. As a result, the Railway Department does not know whether all the intended bookings for Saturday morning have been made or whether other travellers will come forward at the last hour to purchase tickets. The department states that unless such people communicate with the booking officers as soon as possible they will probably be unable to secure seats.

It was stated to-day that Christmas holiday travellers have expressed a very noticeable preference for daylight rather than night trains. This is thought to be caused by Christmas Day coming on Sunday, which enables people to spend the whole of the preceding day in travelling instead of having to rush off on Christmas Eve aftef finishing work. However, bookings have been so heavy that seats on all trains are now being eagerly sought.