Alternatives to ferry

Press, 15 September 1976, Page 1

Alternatives to ferry

In spite of the withdrawal of the Rangatira from the Welling-ton-Lyttelton run this week, there are several alternatives for the transport of passengers and vehicles between the two centres. For those travelling without vehicles, there are regularly scheduled airline, bus, and rail and rail-ferry services at prices competitive with the inter-island steamer. Passenger fares in the Rangatira varied from $lB to $23, according to the number of berths in the cabin, and its position in the vessel. Davlight sailing fares were $l2. The National Airways Corporation has a minimum of six re' m flights between Christchurch and Wellington on any day. At present, during the off-peak season, there are nine flights north, and 10 return flights on Fridays. The number of flights increases at holiday periods. The fare is $25. No variation in bookings had yet been noticed, although an increase was likely, an N-A.C. spokesman said. Loadings fluctuated from day to day, and it would be several weeks before a trend was noticed. Newman's Coach Lines run the only regular bus service from Christchurch

connecting with the Cook Strait ferries. The full fare is $8.70. Buses leave Christchurch for Picton at 7.15 a.m. and 11 a.m. every day of the year, connecting w'ith the two afternoon sailings for Wellington. They return to Christchurch at 1.30 p.m. each day, and 6.20 p.m. at specific times of the year. Extra coaches would be scheduled if the Rangatira’s withdrawal led to seats being booked out, said the company’s Christchurch manager (Mr R. M. Reader) yesterday. It was too early to predict any increase in patronage. A passenger train leaves Christchurch for Picton daily at 6.30 a.m., arriving in time to connect with the 2.20 p.m. ferry sailing to Wellington. The train departs for Christchurch again at 2.10 p.m.. arriving about 9 p.m. The fare is $6. Extra carriages could be attached if necessary, although bookings for the next few weeks were not unusually high, said a Railways Department official. There are at least two rail-ferry sailings each way across Cook Strait, seven days a week. On the Pic-ton-Wellington journey, there are 10 a.m. sailings daily expect Tuesday and Wednesday; 2.20 p.m. sailings daily; 6.40 p.m. sailings daily except Tuesday 7; and 10.40 pun. sailings daily. On the WellingtonPicton trip, there are 10 a.m. sailings daily; 2.20 p.m. sailings daily except Tuesday; 6.40 p.m. sailings daily; and 10.40 p.m. sail-

ings daily except Monday and Tuesday. The adult fare is $5. Vehicle owners, however, will pay a price for the demise of the WellingtonLyttelton ferry service. There is only one method of carrying passengers and a car between the two centres as cheaply as the Rangatira — to drive to Picton and cross Cook Strait by ferry.

Private-vehicle rates for both the Rangatira and Cook Strait ferries are calculated according to length. Prices in the Rangatira varied from $33 for cars under 3lm to $46.20 for cars between 4.5 m and 5.5 m. An additional $4.20 was charged for every additional 0.3 m over 5.5 m. Vehicle rates in the Cook Strait ferries range from $15.30 for cars under 4m to $26.65 for cars between 4.5 m and 6.2 m. Car-and-trailer combination in both kinds of ferry are charged for according to the separate lengths of each. The expense of driving a private car to Picton would vary according to petrol consumption and general depreciation. However, to hire a rental car at Christchurch and leave it at Picton would cost from $35 for a smaller vehicle to $55 for a manual six-cylinder car. Petrol is not included, and again would vary according to the vehicle’s size. An expensive alternative to driving a vehicle to Picton is to have it carried by rail. The cost of this is the

hire of the railway waggon carrying it—s97.so. Most waggons will carry only one average-sized vehicle, but if two can be fitted in there is no extra charge. However, the ferry crossing is not included in the charge. Freight hitherto carried by the Rangatira will be catered for by the New Zealand Shipping Corporation’s roll-on vessel Coastal Ranger, formerly the Hawea. She will make three trips each way between Wellington and Lyttelton every week.

Private cars can be transported aboard the Coastal Ranger at tradevehicle rates. These are calculated at the rate of $19.71 per square metre. It would thus most more than $l5O to carry a small car to Wellington by this method—five times the rate aboard the Rangatira. It was hoped that a cheaper private rate could be provided eventually, said the corporation’s Christchurch manager (Mr R. M. Henshaw) yesterday. He believed that the commercial-vehicle rate was competitive with that in the Rangatira. Cars may also be airfreighted from Blenheim to Wellington by Argosy or Bristol Freighter aircraft. Prices range from about $BO for a 4m vehicle to $155.75 for one longer than 4.8 m. Passengers are charged an additional $l6.

History of service, Page 6