MAIN TRUNK TRAFFIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19940, 8 May 1928, Page 10

MAIN TRUNK TRAFFIC.

LIMITED OVERCROWDED. REDUCED ACCOMMODATION. PASSENGERS FORCED TO STAND. Considerable congestion has been caused on the limited expresses since the provision last week of an additional de luxe sleeper in place of one of the two secondclass carriages. Every berth and seat on the limited express which left Wellington on Sunday evening was occupied and 22 passengers were standing in the only second-class carriage, in which there was accommodation for 44 seated. There was accommodation for 188 persons on the train and on arrival at Auckland there were 45 standing in various carriages. The introduction of the extra sleeper provided accommodation for 18 persons, although the total available seats and berths was reduced by 26. In view of the popularity of the limited express, accommodation has always been fully taxed on this train, and since the reduction of the seating capacity conditions have at times become acute. The strict enforcement of the barrier system at Auckland has prevented overcrowding at this end, for as soon as the train is full no more travellers are allowed on the station until the train has left. It is also possible by means of the booking system to check the number of seats available, but such a system apparently is not in operation at Thorndon, where no check is placed upon passengers desiring to pass through the barriers for the limited express. Although tho limited nover leaves Auckland with passengers standing, there is no means of keeping intending passengers off the train at intermediate stations. On arrival at Frankton each evening the train is usually rushed by large numbers, many of whom are standing when the journey is continued. This is often repeated at Taumarunui and Ohakune.

An official of the Railway Department stated yesterday that the introduction of the additional sleeper on the limited at the expense of a second-class carriage was considered to be warranted in view of the great demand for sleeping-berth accom modation. The limited express aimed to cater for those desiring to make the journey in shorter time than was taken by the second express. It was only reasonable to suppose these persons would be prepared to pay more for a seat on the faster train. It was probable, as people came to realise that the limited express was purely a limited train, they would be prepared to travel by the other, which offered as good accommodation in the first and second-class compartments. In addition, there was no fear of serious overcrowding on this train, as carriages could always be added.

Although the complement of passengers carried by the two expresses for Wellington last evening was a heavy one, there were no signs of overcrowding. The 7.10 limited express was fully booked up, while it was necessary to delay the departure of the 7.45 by a few minutes while extra carriages were attached.