Air freight increases on Railways scheme

Press, 26 March 1981, Page 10

Air freight increases on Railways scheme

PA ••- Wellington .Railways’ air freight tonnages between Wellington and Christchurch have risen by .15 \per cent since the department introduced its new “Fastrak 1 parcels service. The new service, .which the Railways is supporting with heavy' advertising, involves a

guarantee of overnight delivery between the two cities. Parcels up to 25kg are accepted at the Wellington Rail’ parcels office until 5 p.m., and are guaranteed to be available for delivery at Christchurch parcels office by 8 a.m. the next day. In the reverse direction, they are available at Wellington by 9 a.m., because of different train connections. Parcels of more than 25kg can be shipped by special arrangement. The service works by uplifting pallets of parcels at

Wellington, flying them by Safe Air freighter to Blenheim. and transferring them to an express train to Christchurch. Some ferry space is also used. Previously, most parcels went by ferry, and had to be dropped at the parcels office by about 1 p.m. to be sure of arriving in Christchurch the next morning. NormaP parcel rates are charged for the new service; By the. end of the year, the Railways -Department hopes, to extend the. service to all main centres.