INTER-ISLAND TRANSPORT

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 June 1928, Page 5

INTER-ISLAND TRANSPORT

PICTON v. LYTTELTON.

(Special to "Star.")

AUCKLAND, June 1

The suggestion that speedier interIsland communications could be arranged by linking the Picton ferry service with overland transport, is made by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. Some months ago, the Chamber interested itself in a proposal to run night trains between Christchurch and Invercargill and institution of such a service by the Railways Department was announced yesterday. The Chamber now suggests that these night trains should be linked in the passenger transport system, which would considerably reduce the travelling time for passengers and malls between Auckland and Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. At present it occupies two nights and one day, thus a considerable saving would be effected by eliminating the Wel-lington-Lyttelton ferry service, and using Wellington-Picton ferry. The steamer would leave Wellington on arrival of the night Limited from Auckland, to connect at Picton with the train and motor service to Christchurch, arriving in the Southern City in time to catch the new night express for Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill. The northward journey would be completed by making a series of connections in the reverse order. ' The only weak link in the chain appears to be that between Picton and Christchurch. On this comparatively short section, it would be necessary to transfer passengers, mails and luggage no less than three times; from the steamer to train at Picton, from the train to the motor car at Wharanui, and back into the train at Parnassus.

By timetable adjustments the connection between the main centres and the West Coast of the South Island and Nelson would also be improved. There are a great many minor advantages and the Chamber emphasises that the scheme has much to recommend it in improving and speeding up communications between the North and South Islands.