RAILWAY ROAD SERVICES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 7 August 1941, Page 6

RAILWAY ROAD SERVICES

TWENTY-ONE ACQUIRED LAST YEAR 1 GAS-PRODUCER UNITS SAVE PETROL j Petrol has been saved by the [ equipping of some of the ever-growing ! licet of railway road vehicles with ga»- ! producing units. According to the I Statement of the Minister of Railways 'Mr Semple) these have been successful and more vehicles are to be so 1 equipped. Gratifying results attended the operation of the Department's road services I during the year, says the Minister, the ; number of passenger journeys being 7 730.678, an increase of 15.97 per cent, on the preceding year's figures. This, again, is a record, and demonstrates ' that the Department's enterprise in road transport has met with public appreciation. The net revenue from road passenger and goods services combined was £31.846 for 1940-41. compared with £9260 in 1939-40. Ten road passenger services and ■ eleven road goods services were ac» i quired The goods services being dis- ; continued after acquisition, a substantial saving of petrol tor urgent national requirements was effected The fleet controlled by the Department at 31st March. 1941. comprised 391 vehicles of various types. Nineteen of these have been fitted with gas-pro-ducer units, which have given satisi factory rc.-ults and effected a considerable saving of petrol. It is intended to similarly equip additional vehicles during the current year. The net profit on road services under the control of the Railway Department for last year was £31.845. compared with £9260 for the previous year. Last year this protit was 6.33 per cent, of the revenue and the previous year 1.81 per