Cuts urged in Coast railcar service

Press, 3 September 1982, Page 2

Cuts urged in Coast railcar service

The bulk ,of the evening railcar services between Canterbury and the West Coast are under-patronised, losing money, and the Railways Corporation wants to cancel 10 of them — five each way. The proposal has been made to the West Coast United Council by the Railways district manager in Christchurch. Mr R. Campbell.

The present time-table provides for one morning and one evening passenger service each way between Greymouth and Christchurch from Mondays to Saturdays, and one evening passenger service on Sunday evenings each way. Mr Campbell told the United Council representatives that all of the morning trains were consistently well patronised. The Friday and Sunday evening loadings were heavy, typically between 60 to 70 and more, which reflected the traditional week-end interchange between Canterbury and the West Coast.

Commenting on the other evenings, Mr Campbell, said, "We generally find that the number of people aboard is between 20 and 25." An estimate of the avoidable costs of running the lightly loaded trains was $442,000 a year. The corporation proposes cancelling the evening services from Mondays to Thursdays inclusive and the Saturday evening service. 'The proposals are also being discussed with representatives of the railway unions.