RAILWAY FACILITIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17351, 24 December 1919, Page 8

RAILWAY FACILITIES.

The restoration of the pre-war service of passenger trains on the Dominion's railways and the new policy of actively encouraging railway travelling may be'expected to lead to a rapid and general expansion of traffic. Although the financial statistics indicate a progressive development of * railway business, the actual fact is that in recent years the volume of traffic has greatly declined, and in the last war year the number of passengers carried was only equivalent to that of 1911-12. The return to the normal rate of progress will apparently be quickly accomplished, and if the risk of positive disorganisation against which Mr. Hiley has given repeated warnings is to be avoided, measures must be taken promptly to remove the disabilities which involve inconvenience for the public and handicap the work of the railway staff. The vigorous prosecu- | tion of the improvement works recommended by Mr. Hiley cannot be delayed. In the meantime there are minor improvements which are no less important because they do not involve the expenditure of large sums. Among these is the provision of better facilities for the sale of tickets and the reserving of accommodation on passenger trains. Even in normal conditions, the arrangements at the Auckland station are barely adequate, while in any period of heavy traffic their deficiencies cause unnecessary delay and inconvenience. A booking office in the neighbourhood of Queen Street will be essential when the new railway station is erected. Its provision immediately would not only be appreciated by the public, but would also be of advantage to the Department. Better facilities within the station are also required.