Huge Passenger Backlog Moved

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31653, 13 April 1968, Page 34

Huge Passenger Backlog Moved

One of the biggest travel headaches to face transport authorities in New Zealand was relieved early on Good Friday, the Press Association reports.

Massive passenger blacklegs which piled up late this week after the disruption of transport services by the severe storm over much of the country, presented one of the most complex transport problems encountered. "Tired officials were able to say at 2 a.m_ on Good Friday that all who wanted to travel between the islands had been moved,” said the Minister of Transport (Mr Gordon) in a statement commending all sections of the transport services for their splendid co-ordinatoon. “On behalf of the Government I would like to thank everyone who so willingly played his or her part,” he said. “From the reservations

clerks to the engine drivers, the pilots, the National Airways and Air Force officials, the controllers and all the many other people who worked long hours,” said the Minister, “it can be at least said that your efforts were outstandingly successful.” The whole available fleet of National Airways Corporation aircraft, plus R.N.Z.A.F. Hercules transports, DC6s and DC3s, and SJLF.E. Bristol Freighters normally on the Chatham Islands run, were used to clear backlogs of air passengers. Extra sailings were arranged for the rail ferries which carried capacity loads each voyage. Special Train

Mr Gordon said that at the height of the storm in Christchurch on Thursday a special train was organised within an hour to run to Blenheim and back. “Hundreds moved from Christchurch to Welling-

ton and vice versa by this train and connecting air services.”

Up to 90 passengers at a time were carried across the strait in 12 minutes in Air Force Hercules. The Minister said that passenger movements were heavily impeded until Christchurch airport opened for traffic about 4 p.m. on Thursday. “Despite this,” he said, “by 2.30 a.m. more than 3350 people had flown out of Wellington in the day.” As late as 9 o’clock on Thursday night people were able to make bookings to travel by air yesterday morning to most destinations. “The key decision facing the authorities on Thursday morning was how to shift Wahine survivors and relatives of the disaster victims,” said Mr Gordon. “For administrative reasons it was decided that it would be impossible to establish accurately priorities of travel, and it was decided to attempt to move all requiring air travel.

“In this the operation seems to have been extremely successful,” he said.