REDUCTION IN PORT TRAINS

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31781, 11 September 1968, Page 1

REDUCTION IN PORT TRAINS

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, September 10. To effect a net saving of $16,600 a year, the Railways Department is to suspend a number of lightly-loaded offpeak suburban passenger trains on the Christchurch-Lyttelton run.

From next Monday the number of trains each way from Monday to Thursday will be reduced from 19 to 14; Friday services will be reduced from 19 to 15; the number on Saturdays will be reduced from 16 each way to 11 from Christchurch and 13 from Lyttelton.

The 7.10 ■ p.m. boat train from Christchurch to Lyttelton wharf will be discontinued because the number of passengers using this service can now be easily accommodated on the 7.37 p.m. train.

This situation has arisen since the conversion of the inter-island steamer to a vehicle ferry, and the opening of the Lyttelton road tunnel. Announcing this action, the Minister of Railways (Mr Gordon) said the loss incurred on suburban train services at Christchurch during the year ended March 31 was $224,000. Lightly Loaded

The revenue of $16,000 earned from the 740,000 passenger journeys reached only 21 per cent of the estimated expenditure incurred in providing the services. “Some action was clearly called for in these circumstances," said Mr Gordon, ’’but we were concerned to ensure that any inconvenience to users was kept to an absolute minimum. “All of the suburban trains that will be cancelled are very lightly loaded. An exhaustive ’ review showed that none carried an average of more than 52 passengers. Most carried'fewer than 30. “Reasonable alternative bus or train services are available for passengers between Christchurch and Lyttelton. Special Check

“A special check was made of the effect of the cancellations on Heathcote Valley residents, who are not conveniently served by buses. Details of the number of passengers who travelled to or from Heathcote on the trains to be cancelled showed there were rarely more than five or six.

“In view of the small numbers involved, and the relatively high cast of maintaining the services, it seems reasonable that these people should adjust their travel arrangements to use the train that will continue running.” Trains were essentially high capacity conveyances. Mr Gordon said. When they were lightly loaded large losses I were Inevitable in their operation.