The “Southerner”

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32663, 20 July 1971, Page 12

The “Southerner”

Sir, —Recently I travelled on the “Southerner” accompanied by a young child. The seats are certainly a great improvement on the old, and the decor is most pleasing. The only thing lacking is service. I noted two hostesses and a steward; there may have been more. The hostess came through our nonsmoking carriage twice between Oamaru and Christchurch; once to announce that the buffet car began serving afternoon tea at 3.15 and on the other occasion to say that the buffet car closed at 5.30. When it became quite apparent that noone travelling with children, or elderly people, were to get any service, I took my child with me to the buffet car and discovered the reason. They were too busy serving liquor to the men travelling in the smoking

carriage through which we passed. The hostess service was better on the old express, and it would not surprise me if there were even more empty seats in the future.—Yours, etc., TRAVELLER.

July 15, 1971. [Mr L. A. Mitchell, district manager of the refreshment branch of the Railways- Department, replies: “Hostess service is provided in both the smoking and non-smok-ing carriages on the ‘Southerner.’ Hostesses are required to pay particular attention to women with children and elderly passengers. If ‘Traveller’ would care to contact me and advise the date of travel her complaint will be fully investigated."]