NEW RAILWAY TIME-TABLE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14237, 7 December 1909, Page 6

NEW RAILWAY TIME-TABLE

MAIN TRUNK TRAINS. INCREASED TRAFFIC EXPECTED. The new railway time-table came into operation yesterday, when several alterations were inaugurated. . Of these the most important was the extra Main Trunk express, which left Auckland for Wellington at 10.35 a.m. The new train left here with between 50 and, 60 passengers, this being a very fair complement for tho commencement of a service that is sure to be more largely .availed of as time goes on. The full accommodation on the morning express was for 170 passengers. It was doubtless anticipated that the bulk of the traffic utilising it would be booked from Franklon Junction and stations south of that point, especially in view of the fact that for the first time this new train will give Rotorua direct connection with the southern portion of the Main Trunk line. With regard to the other changes instituted yesterday, suburban residents adapted themselves readily enough to the altered hours of departure and arrival. In spite of all the protests that had been made regarding the 5.41 p.m. train, the Department persevered with the absurdity of making it a nonstop train between Auckland and Penrose, during what is practically the busiest hour of the day for home-going traffic. The consequence was that, whilst about 50 passengers boarded the train, several times that number, who would have found the hour of departure most convenient, had the train stopped at the intervening suburbs, were unable to avail themselves of it. A considerable increase in the passenger traffic on all lines is expected to be experienced very shortly, and already the beautiful weather has begun to have its effect upon the returns.