FERRY SUNDAYS ONLY?

Press, 3 April 1980, Page 1

FERRY SUNDAYS ONLY?

The Railways might run one of the Cook Strait ferries between and Lyttelton on Sundays only later this year, the general manager of the Lyttelton Harbour Board (Mr J.; A. McPhail) told a meeting of the board yesterday. ’ ■ A study now being done favoured a one-day return voyage which would', carry passengers, private cars, and commercial vehicles, he said. No transport of railway waggons was con-

templated. The plan, if adopted, would be implemented later this year. Many features: of the scheme had yet to Jbe firmed up such as the alteration of passenger gangways at the former ferry terminal at the No. 2 jetty and possible improvements to the old link-span. “This is a step towards our goal of a roll-on service between Lyttelton and Wellington,” said Mr McPhail. Present Union Company

freight services between Lyttelton and Wellington were not being used to capacity but the latest proposer was good so far as people and cars travelling between the North Island and the South Island were concerned. Board members had reservations about the scheme but agreed to wait until a meeting of the board’s port-development committee on April. 16 to see if further information would

be available from the Railways then. Mr M. J. Dobson said he was concerned about the choice of Sunday for the cnce-weekly service. A more frequent service was required. The unavailability of petrol on Sundays “might kill this thing from the start.” . Mr McPhail said the Railways had indicated that the service could be expanded if the demand existed. Sir Robert Macfarlane

said that the scheduling of the service would be a vital factor in its success and that the interests of people without cars should be looked after, especially regarding transport between Christchurch and Lyttelton on Sundays. Mr J. Brand was concerned about the fares that might be charged. “If they are too high it could be a failure from the start,” he said.