Committee concerned about railway link

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34128, 14 April 1976, Page 22

Committee concerned about railway link

Strong concern about yesterday’s announced closing of the Christchurch -Rangiora and return railway passenger service at the end of April was expressed at the Kaiapoi Borough Council’s Town Planning Committee meeting last evening.

Cr M. Bourne said the average patronage per da}’ was stated as 50, but a large number of school pupils used the service for 39 weeks. It was particularly suitable for those attending several church schools, Hagley High School, Christchurch Technical Institute and for industtrial workers at Papanui and Addington. There were also social implications — the Govern-

ment built the Kaiapoi High School from which there were pupils looking for something better than working in a factory. Therefore they needed to commute. Anyone who commuted looked at comfort and service and general patronage was not higher because successive Governments had neglected and ignored this service, said Cr Bourne.

The Midland company was reducing its suburban run and Kaiapoi could end up with a very sketchy public transport service. Some councillors might not use the railway but there were members

of the public who did and the council should be conscious of their interests and make representations. Cr Bourne said the line provided a service to the community and probably would never pay for itself, but many services to the community were in the same position. If profitability were taken into account the library would be the first to go, then the swimming pool.

The chairman (Mr R. L. Wylie, considered it a matter of a public transport service in and out of Kaiapoi generally. Public transport in Christchurch was subsidised by the ratepayer and it was not inconceivable the same situation could occur in Kaiapoi in the future. It would seem preferable for the service to be subsidised by Government.

As the general council meeting will not be held for another ten days, the Minister will be advised immediately that the matter of the passenger service will be raised and comment invited. (Minister’s statement on front page.)