Southerner revamped in bid to encourage travel

Press, 24 October 1989, Page 16

Southerner revamped in bid to encourage travel

By

PAM MORTON

The Southerner passenger train is being revamped to try to encourage more passengers. The Railway’s passenger link between Christchurch and Invercargill is under review because of falling patronage. Passengers were recently invited by the corporation to suggest improvements to the train. The corporation’s Intercity marketing manager for the South Island, Mr Gordon Burrow, said more than 50 letters had been received.

He said letters were received from most towns and cities along the route. “All the letters were unanimous on one point — they don’t want to lose the Southerner." The seating arrangement on the train has prompted the greatest criticism. Mr Burrow said the al-cove-type seating was popular on the Tranz-Al-pine and the Coastal Pacific but was not well accepted by passengers on the Southerner. “People seem to be in a different frame of mind.

They are communters and want to be left alone.” The new look Southerner will have a smoking car, a buffet carriage with alcove seating and a nonsmoking carriage with seats facing forward. Mr Burrow said the trains needed to carry about 100 passengers a trip to remain economic. At present the train is carrying between 60 to 80 passengers a trip. The corporation will review the service at the end of the summer season.