One-Day Ferry Service

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31029, 7 April 1966, Page 1

One-Day Ferry Service

(From Our Own Reporter) | WELLINGTON, April 6. i A one-day service between Christchurch and Wellington, using the Christchurch-Pic-ton railcar and the vehicular ferry, will he established when the new rail-ferry Aranui conies into service in May or early June. When a letter signed “ExRailwayman” and published in “The Press" was- referred to him, the Minister of Railways (Mr McAlpine) gave special attention to the suggestion that the timetables of railcars and ferries should be adjusted so that Christchurch patrons could travel to Wellington by this service in one day. “If this is done,” said the letter, “it will increase the revenue of the department, and thereby reduce the amount that is now provided by taxpayers to pay interest on railway loans.” Mr McAlpine said today inj reply that at present the Aramoana was scheduled to leave, Picton at 2.20 p.m. from Mon-1 day to Saturday, and 11 p.m. I from Monday to Friday. “Impracticable” “Consideration has previous-1 I ly been given to the altera- i Ition of the Christchurch-Pic-I

ton and Picton-Christchurch railcar schedules to provide a connexion from Christchurch with the 2.20 p.m sailing, but this was shown to be impracticable,” Mr .McAlpine said. “The railcar timetable was I implemented only after considerable agitation to provide improved connexion to and from the Nelson area. Besides creating operational difficulties, it is apparent that any alteration which would upset these connexions would meet with strong opposition. “Further, the comparatively small number of Aramoana pasengers travelling from south of Blenheim does not warrant any alteration to existing services to the detriment of local residents, particularly as a connexion is already provided by Newman Brothers’ bus service departing from Christchurch at 7 a.m. New Timetable “With the commencement of two-ship operation, the departure times from Picton will be: 10 a.m. Tuesday to Saturday, 2.20 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday. 6.40 p.m. Monday to Friday. “This timetable was framed to allow for the most efficient use of the two ships, having regard to the needs of customers. “A one-day service from Christchurch to Wellington i will still be provided by the I Newman Brothers’ 7 a.m.

Christchurch-Picton bus service connexion with the 2.20 p.m. sailing. “In addition, passengers who so desire will be able to travel on the 9.25 a.m. Christ-church-Picton railcar, spend [about three hours in Picton, |and connect with the 6.40 p.m. [sailing. | “Accordingly, when the Aranui commences running, there will be two alternative land-sea services available for passengers requiring a oneday service from Christchurch to Wellington via Picton. I “The position will, of course, be kept under review-, and full consideration w-ill be given to the alteration of railcar and ferry schedules to meet changing demands ” Heavy Duty [ During the 12 months from [April 1, 1964, to March 31, ! 1965, the Aramoana carried 206,712 passengers, 45,592 'motor-vehicles and 180,650 tons of goods in railway waggons, said a Railways Department spokesman today. This is a considerable increase on the figures for the same services in the previous year. When the new ferry Aranui comes into service, pressure will be eased off the Arai moana, which is being used [to capacity. The present 11 weekly reiturn trips now undertaken by the Aramoana will be increased to 17 when the two ships are running between Wellington and Picton.