RAILWAY SERVICES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 263, 6 October 1942, Page 2

RAILWAY SERVICES

Heavy freight loads and full passenger trains have confronted railway officials at "Wellington on the removal of the restrictions on the railage of goods, and the lifting of the 50-milo restriction on passengers as from yesterday, but the same problems have not arisen at the Palmerston North station. All the. trains running prior to the coal strike are now employed again, but at this centre there has been *no very great increase in the number of passengers offering. On the other hand, Palmerston North, being rather a distributing centre than a point from which goods traffic begins, has not been materially affected in any accumulation of goods classed as non-essential. It is stated that these goods are being handled at Wellington without undue delay. It is thought, however, that the number of passengers offering may increase as arra gements for travel are made and, if necessary, extra trains may be run to meet the demand for seats.

Bookings for travel on trains, are being accepted only for a fortnight ahead, and these are still subject to the 100-mile restrictions, so. that none are being made for Christmas travel, it was learned at the Palmerston North ' railway station today. To date, a distance limitation for travel by road has not been applied, hut the reduction in the services, brought about by the position regarding petrol and tyres, is such that without an expansion of the services only very few extra passengers may be carried at Christmas. No Christmas bookings for road travel, are being accepted until the position is clarified. No provisional bookings are being accepted on steamers for interisland travel for the same uncertain circumstances now ruling.