CO-ORDINATED SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 11, 12 July 1930, Page 10

CO-ORDINATED SERVICE

THEOUGH TICKETS VJA TAUPO

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

NAPIER, 11th July

The first big step in the co-ordin-ation of rail and motor services^— New Zealand has been made in Hawkes Bay. This scheme will enable travellers by rail from any part of the Dominion to leave the railway at cither Napier or Rotorua, and still using their railway tickets, travel overland by motor-car to Taupo or Gisborne, until, they join the railway again at either Napier or Rotorua. It is a most important development in the rail service of New Zealand, and one which is hoped will appeal to the traveller desirous of taking the alternative route on his outward or his homer ward journey. This step is the outcome of conferences between Mr. H. H. Sterling, the General Manager of Railways, and Mr. G. G. Stewart, officer in charge of the railways branch, Mr. D. F. M'Arthur, representing the Ha'wkes Bay Motor Co., Ltd,, and Mr. L. C. Ryan, representing ■ the R.M. Transport Co., Rotorua. . . Tho agreement is to come into force immediately, and will operate from Monday morning.

It means that the railways will obtain a complete link for through passengers between Napier and Rotorua, via the Taupo or Gisborne roads. It gives these through passengers the opportunity of an alternative route from Wellington or other stations to the thermal regions.

■ The motor service companies concerned will act as booking agents at their branches at Napier, Wairoa, Gisborne, Opotiki, Whakatane, Rotorua, and Taupo, and their services will practically become integral portions of the Dominion's railway system.

The agreement is for a period of three years, and provides for companies combining with the Railway Department in a comprehensive publicity scheme showing the benefits of the travelling public from the new arrangement.