SUBURBAN TRAIN ACCOMMODATION

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 264, 3 August 1929, Page 13

SUBURBAN TRAIN ACCOMMODATION

Sir —The Waterloo train which leaves Lambton at 5.10 p.m. has, as accommodation for first-class passengers, a couple of half carriages of an obsolete pattern, with immovable face-to-face seats, which are uncomfortable and badly lighted. On

the same train are two comparatively modern first-class carriages, well lighted, and with comfortable movable seats. These carriages are, however, labelled “second-class,” so that for half the tare which I pay second-class passengers are provided with twice the comfort. I have no objection to second-class fares being provided with the most comfortable ac- ' commodation which the Railway Department can afford to give them, but for the extra fare which I pay I am surely entitled to accommodation at least equal to that provided for those paying less. If the trouble is shortage of rolling stock I would suggest that the old carriages above mentioned should be converted to second-class, and the two modern carriages utilised for first-class accommodation for which they are intended. Another matter which requires urgent attention is the disgraceful mobbing of the rear carriages of this train as it backs into the platform. Long before it has stopped the train is mobbed by a crowd of pushing and struggling passengers, who cling to the platform rails, and apparently do their best to push each other underneath the moving train. Worse estill, some men and boys, and even girls, jump off the platform just behind the still-moving train, and cross the track to board the train from the other side. One slip, and the result will be a Coroner’s inquest. The officials, even when present, seem to be able to do very little to prevent this disorderly mobbing of the train, and I would suggest that the presence of a policeman every evening, and the rigorous prosecution of all offenders would soon put a stop to this dangerous practice.—l am, etc., WOBURN. Wellington, July 26. [ln reply to our correspondent’s criticisms, the Railway Department advises that the running of the two first class cars as second class was an emergency measure, and these have now been replaced by ordinary second class \ vehicles.

The general standard of lighting in carriages is good. In some cases, however, defects occur through faulty mantles, but these are remedied as early as practicable after detection. Ample accommodation is provided on all trains leaving Lambton station, and there is, according to the Department, definitely no need for anything in the nature of a scramble for seats. There appears to be a tendency on the part of passengers to occupy the rear carriages, possibly due to the fact that by so doing they gain a little time at the destination station. A number of passengers, too, like to travel with their friends, and an endeavour is sometimes made to create “a corner in seats” in some particular carriage. The Department does not allow passengers to join or alight from moving trains, and is doing its level best to cope with the situation created at Lambton during rush hours. The recent prosecution of several offenders for indulging in this practice is an indication of the steps to which it is prepared to go to bring home to culprits the seriousness of their offence. No instance has come under notice where intending passengers jump off the platform in front of a moving train and board the train from the other side. Such a procedure would not be permitted under any circumstances.]