THE PRESS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1984. Crossing Cook Strait

Press, 15 November 1984, Page 12

THE PRESS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1984. Crossing Cook Strait

Increasing attention is being paid to bridging the gap between the North Island and the South as a new spirit of competition sweeps the transport industry. At present three ventures are under consideration that would increase the range of choice for the carriage of goods and people across the awkward gap that is Cook Strait.

The Pacifica Shipping Company, of Christchurch, is seeking to introduce a second vessel to its fleet, doubling its capacity on the Lyttelton-Wellington run. A new private ferry service across Cook Strait, in competition with the Railways Corporation ferries, appears to be in an advanced stage of development. From February next year, a new airline will be flying three return trips daily between Christchurch and the North Island.

The stimulus to competition, and the wider range of alternatives, should benefit inter-island travellers and consignors of freight alike. An eloquent illustration of the benefits of increased competition in the transport industry was provided by the Railways Corporation last year. In response to the challenge provided by the independent Pacifica service, the corporation reduced freight rates for large trucks travelling

on the Cook Strait ferries by a third. Less than six months after the Pacifica vessel, Spirit of Free Enterprise, challenged the Railways Corporation domination of inter-island shipping, many shippers received a substantial reduction — on average about $450 a trip — in one of the biggest single costs of transferring goods between the North and South Islands. Transport delicensing begun by the previous Government has been the spur for the renewed interest; but the belief in expansion shown by the various entrepreneurs must also reflect a healthy growth and demand for space for inter-island cargo and, in the case of the airline, tourist potential. On past experience, greater competition between the several interisland carriers has brought improved efficiency, better choice, and financial savings for customers. More alternatives lessen the vulnerability of inter-island traffic to disruption. Additional services mean additional jobs. Provided that the enterprises are soundly based on accurate forecasts of demand, a lot of people should benefit from the increasing attention being paid to this expensive bottleneck in New Zealand’s transport system.