REPLY TO CRITICISM

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 108, 8 May 1937, Page 8

REPLY TO CRITICISM

In reply to the criticism, the Railway Department states that one of the most important of the recentlyannounced changes in fares and conditions of travel in suburban areas was that affecting workers' weekly tickets. These tickets were, previously available at cheap rates for use by trains arriving at their destination not later than 8 a.m., whilst those travelling by later trains were required to pay a higher fare. It was with the object of removing this distinction between the 8 o'clock and 9 o'clock travellers that provision was made for a new twelve-trip "weekly ticket without, restriction as to the time.it could be used to be available in the areas where1 the workers' weekly tickets were.previously issuable. . Asa result of this alteration the workers' weekly and weekly twelve-trip tickets in such areas have been superseded by the new standardised twelve-trip .ticket;; ■;/'.._ : So far as the position of residents'in the areas served by the WellingtonPaekakariki line is concerned, the conditions of travel from points beyond Johnsonville have not been materially affected by the recently-announced fare alterations owing to the fact that workers' weekly tickets were not issuable from points beyond Johnsonville.- The matter is, however,' receiving consideration in conjunction with other aspects associated with the pending^ inauguration of passenger train services over the new Tawa Flat deviation and the opening of the new Wellington railway, station. ' . ,'. . Reference is made to the fact that holders of season tickets 'have not received the benefit of fare reductions which have, been extended to past users of twelve-trip weekly tickets,. In regard to this aspect, it must.be borne in mind that season tickets may be used Cor unlimited travel during the period of their currency whilst the new weekly twelve-trip tickets are restricted to six return trips per week. Where more than six return trips per week are made the cost per trip.to ordinary, season-ticket-holders compares favourably with the cost per trip to purchasers of the new weekly twelve-trip tickets and' the former • are therefore not under any disadvantage in the matter of travel cost as compared^with the latter. • . . . . • The statement that the fares for railway employees have been subjected to a large increase is misleading.^ Actually, they, in common with past users of the lower-priced (.workers' we.ekly tickets, are now required to. bear a small increase as a contribution to the inauguration of a revised fare schedule, the general effect of which will be to confer a very definite benefit on suburban communities.