ROAD TRANSPORT

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 107, 6 May 1926, Page 10

ROAD TRANSPORT

NEW RAILWAY ENTERPRISE

COMMERCIALISING THE DEPARTMENT

A conference of representatives of the Commercial Branch of the Railways Department has decided that the time has arrived when ( the Department would be justified in extending its operations to road transport.

The Minister of Railways (the Right Hon. J. G. Coates) who was present, expressed pleasure at the results of the efforts of the commercial branch, and urged members to explore every possible avenue of new business, and to see that everything possible was done in the way of giving good service to the public. The conference discussed questions in regard to special excursions to meet public requirements, and in the direction of stimulating new business, and it was decided to reintroduce those excursions which had proved successful. A new idea for giving farmers and others facilities for exchange of visits between their respective districts, as at show times, is to be tried out, and it was decided to continue the practice of representatives of the commercial branch attending the various shows, as beneficial results had been obtained by the personal contact secured in that direction. The main question, however, was as to whether the Department would be justified in "going on the road," and the members present were unanimously of the opinion that the time had arrived for the Department to undertake road transport iv localities where it was likely to be a sound economic proposition. The arguments advanced, it was agreed, would no doubt be given due weight in the consideration of that subject by the Department. The introduction of the "red cap" porters was discussed, and the experiments which had been carried out at Wellington and Auckland were favourably reported upon. It was decided to recommend, the extension of the system. Suggestions were advanced in regard to the use of rail motors, and proposals were made for employment in conjunction with the use of steam trains and road motors. It was reported that the Department had now linked up with carriers at practically every station in New Zealand where it was advisable and possible to do so, and that it was now in a position to quote cartage rates at most stations. It was stated that a great deal of satisfaction had been given the public by the system whereby passengers for the South Island could reserve seats at the railway booking office, Wellington, without reference to Christchurch. The effect of . commercialising the Department was discussed, and it was reported that the staff had readily lesponded and that the co-operation of all branches of the services had accompanied the efforts to improve matters. Not only those actually coming in contact with the public in connection with the transit of passengers and goods had worked as business-getters, but men on the track, locomotive men, and others, had also done a great deal to foster good relationships between the Department and the public.