PASSENGERS COMPLAIN

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 28, 2 August 1927, Page 10

PASSENGERS COMPLAIN

ALLEGED LACK OF EFFICIENCY

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to ."The Evening Post.") PALMBESTON X., Ist August. Passengers by the first express train -"■ from "Wellington since the slip, which arrived in Palmerston at 7.15, took the inconvenience of the situation humorously, philosophically, or disgustedly . according to their temperaments or the importance of their time schedude. All seemed to agree that much of the delay . and inconvenience, and particularly tho uncertainty of things generally was uuiiecessary and could have been avoided by a more efficient handling of the situation by the authorities in AV«I-----s.-.r lington.

..>;,' An Auckland traveller complained ..that it was given out that the express would leave as usual on Sunday evening, though this must have been quite obviously impossible, and it was then stated that the express would leave at 9.30 on Monday morning, and passengera were down at Thorndon at 9 a.m., 7;•■ : but were not informed that the previous night's arrangements had been cancelled until long after that hour. At 12.30 those waiting at Thorndon were told that the express would leave from Ngaio at 2.30 p.m., and that passengers had to get there the best way they could. After a hunt for ears and

.buses, intending passengers arrived at .-_ Ngaio at 1.30 p.m., when the Auckland ; express came in there. Its passengers were in doubt as to what to do, as no arrangements had been made by the Department for transport to town. The North express left at 3.35 p.m. in the end.

Another complaint was that Paekaiariki refreshment room had not been advised, of the coming of the long train of sixteen coaches and three sleeping carriages, and three girls behind „, ' the counter tried to serve 300 people. A Wellington business man voiced the opinion that such lack of efficiency and initiative would not be tolerated " . for one minute in an up-to-date private .: business concern. AN OFFICIAL EEPLY. The following reply is made officially regarding the complaints:— "The commercial travellers' clubs, all hotels, and boarding-houses were kept posted as to arrangements made for the transfer of passengers, notices being '" also exhibited at the 'Evening Post,' ;' the central .booking office, and the stations. It was first considered that the slip would be_ cleared by 9.30 a.m. on Monday, but it was subsequently found that the removal of the hillside overhead would be necessary before it was safe to allow vehicles to pass. Under the circumstances the New Plymouth and Main Trunk expresses were combined, being dispatched from Ngaio at 2.30 p.m. The taxi and bus services were notified and they carried passengers to Ngaio at a reasonable faro. "The New Plymouth and Main Trunk . expresses do not usually stop at paekakariki for refreshment, but owing to the disorganisation it wag found neces- ;■;•■ sary to stop the combined train there for the purpose of setting down passen- ■ gers and changing engines. The unexpected influx of passengers made the' :. work of the refreshment department v/sry heavy, everything possible under the circumstances being done to cone with the rush. l "The peculiar nature of tho slip has '.■" made it difficult to estimate the length of time for clearance, hence it has been ■ ••• found necessary to cancel various tentative arrangements. Under the difficult circumstances the staff concerned has done everything humanly possible to lessen the inconvenience to the travelling public."