WAIUKU RAILWAY.

Franklin Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 38, 3 April 1933, Page 5

WAIUKU RAILWAY.

IMPROVED PATRONAGE ACCORDED.

RESULT: A BETTER SERVICE

The improved patronage accorded the Waiuku railway by the settlers in the area served by the branch line has resulted in a hetter passenger service being granted by the Railways Board. Now That the people have realised the henefil of such a service, it is their duty 'to accord it all the support they possibly can.

Writing to the chairman of the Franklin County Council, Mr J. N. Massoy, M.P., the acting general manager of the New Zealand Railways, Mr J. H. Mackley, states: — "Following upon recent improvements in the patronage given by residents in the Waiuku area to the railway passenger services to and from the Waiuku line, the board is now pleased to be able to inform you that the Saturday evening Train connection between main line trains and the Waiuku branch will be again introduced as from Saturday, April 1. "These trains, which, prior to October 28, 10.10, allowed passengers on Saturday to leave Auckland by the 4 p.m. train and arrive at Waiuku at 8.12 p.m. or to leave Waiuku at 6.20 p.m. and arrive Auckland at 9.15 p.m. were discontinued nearly 2& years ago owing to the paucity of passenger traffic offering at that time. The Board wishes to emphasise that this was due to the effect of road motor competition on the traffic, and that any inconvenience sufferer! by residents since then through lack of these train connections has been due entirely to the cause named. Conversely, the very definite improvement in the numbers carried on the branch during the current financial year has actuated the board in deciding to renew this service, on a three months' trial. "The new trains will run on Saturdays on the following timetable: — "Up: Waiuku depart 4.30 p.m.; Pacrata arrive 5.15 p.m. "Down: . Paerata depart 7.45 p.m.: Waiuku. arrive. 8.30 p.m.

"The up (rain will connect at Pasrata with the Taneatua-Aucklnnd express and Vie down train will connect with the fast passenger train leaving Auckland at 6.30 p.m. "The board trusts that your council will continue to do all in its power to bring home to the public the value to themselves of a well-maintained train service and the Impossibility of the district supporting effectively two competing forms of transport."