MAIN TRUNK SERVICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15142, 5 November 1912, Page 8

MAIN TRUNK SERVICE.

EXTRA EXPRESSES POPULAR.

THE ROTORUA CONNECTION. r '

There is every indication Hint the new railway arrangements for the summer, including as their main feature the double express service on the Main Trunk line, are to prove very popular. Already they have 'met with wide public approval, and as. 1 the time-table becomes more known, the public patronage will undoubtedly be larger.

It must be pointed out that though the extra express trains now being run between Auckland and Wellington do not appear to be so heavy as the ordinary evening expresses when they arrive and depart at the Auckland railway station, the traffic between intermediate stations, especially between Rotorua and Wellington, already fully justifies the running of the trains.

A Wellington resident who made use of the connection at Frankton from Rotorua with the new daylight express on Saturday, is emphatically of the opinion that the arrangements are the bast yet. made on the North Island section, and .he says the travelling public, with whom he comes into contact a great deal, speaks highly of the convenience to passengers to and from Rotorua. Often, he said, he travelled from Rotorua to catch the Main, Trunk train early in the morning, but at Frankton—nino times out of ten— most comfortable seats were already occupied by Auckland passengers, and the whole journey to Wellington was often spoiled from this cause.

It has been stated that in a week or two's tiirce the railway authorities intended to run two night expresses. A i-ailw&y offioial diaracterised this as " absolute nonwense." The facts are, as stated in the Hesalb on Saturday morning, that for two or three weeks at Christmas time the authorities will have to run. three trails a day to and from Wellington, two being night expresses. In previous years there have been two night expresses, and it is quite expected that even with three trains a day, the Department will have a difficulty in coping with, the crowds of holiday makers.

"Have there been any complaints that the midday express is an inconvenient train V an official was asked.

"Quito to the contrary," was the reply. "As far as -wo have heard, the public approves heartily of the new arrangements, and the new connection with the Rotoma line is very much appreciated."

As evidence of the support being given the extra Main Trunk trains, it may bo mentioned that the accommodation on the sleeping-cars is being fully occupied.