Ferries’ trucks in bad repair

Press, 22 July 1986, Page 8

Ferries’ trucks in bad repair

PA Blenheim The condition of the luggage trucks used on the Cook Strait ferries is causing concern to railwaymen.

One of the orange trucks had to be towed off the ferry after the Ministry of Transport told the Railways Corporation the vehicle was not roadworthy. The incident happened at Picton on Wednesday, and, according to the Blenheim branch of the National Union of Railwaymen, might lead to further inspection of the vehicles The branch chairman, Mr Laurie Collins, said the branch had for a long time been concerned at the condition of the vehicles.

It asked the Ministry to inspect them last week after the arrival of one of the ferries and the Ministry then issued instructions that one of the trucks was not to be driven until numerous repairs were carried out

The truck had to be towed back on to the ferry in Picton and towed away for repairs when it returned to Wellington.

Mr Collins said the truck which had to be towed away had a current certificate of fitness, but the driver’s door did not work, the windscreen was held in place by rust the brakes were faulty and the accelerator had a habit of jamming. It appeared the vehicle would now either have to be scrapped or be given a big repair job.