NIGHT EXPRESSES

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 15 February 1930, Page 4

NIGHT EXPRESSES

SERVICE TO TARANAKI EXPECTED NEXT MONTH TIMETABLE FORMULATED. 4 According to advice received by Mr H. G. Dickie, M.P., the inauguration ot a night express service three times weekly between Wellington anti Taranaki may be expected next month. Information to this effect was given to the ilawera Chamber of Commerce by Mr Dickie at the meeting of the council last evening, when lie read a letter received the same evening - from the Minister of Railways (Hon. W. B. Taverner).

“The new service should be a boon to the district, particularly to business people in paying visits to Wellington with a minimum loss of daytime hours in travelling,” said Mr Dickie. His opinion was endorsed by the president of the council (Mr B. C. Bennett) and other speakers. “With reference to the proposal for the institution of night trains between New Plymouth and Wellington, I desire to inform you that the matter lias now been brought to the stage where a time-table has been formulated,” states the Minister’s letter.

THRICE WEEKLY. ‘ ‘lt .is proposed that the . night train shall leave Wellington on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays at 10.36 p.m., arriving at New Plymouth at 8.15 a.m. The return train will leave New Plymouth on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9.10 p.m., arriving at Wellington at 6.32 a.m. “Commenting on these times, I would say in the first place that it has been found that they give the best running to the train, having regard to the exigencies of the working of the line between Wellington and New Plymouth. The following other points might also be mentioned. “The departure time from Wellington will give people time to spend the evening in the city. For those who do not desire to do this it is proposed to place “the sleeping car in a handy position at Wellington, where people may retire to bed at any time that might suit them during the evening after a time to be fixed, say, about 9 p.m.

SOUTHERN PLAN FOLLOWED. “‘I nis arrangement is in operation in the South Island and works very well there. The time of arrival at New I'iyinouth will give passengers time to liave breakfast and be prepared for business at 9 a.m. or shortly thereafter. The departure time from New Plymouth has no special features, having been governed principally by train running considerations and by the arrival time in Wellington. The latter time may appear early, but it is the best that could be done having regard to the necessity for getting the train into Wellington before the morning suburban traffic commences. After the com- : mencement of this traffic in the morning the suburban line out of Wellington becomes very congested, and it is practically impossible to work the night train through. It is, therefore, necessary to arrange the schedule of the night train to overcome this difficulty. ’ ’ The Minister’s letter concludes with the statement that the department expects to be in a position to commence the running of the trains about the middle of March.