RUSH ON RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20218, 1 April 1929, Page 10

RUSH ON RAILWAYS.

HOMEWARD TREK TO-DAY.

MANY EASTER TRAVELLERS. BUSIEST PERIOD OF THE YEAR. In the calm between two storms- tho officers of the Railway Department wore able during the week-end to breathe a little more freely after the hectic rush of Thursday and Friday, but homewardbound travellers will make fresh demands the transport services to-day and to-morrow.

The Thursday which precedes the Easter holiday is reckoned as the most arduous day in the railway year, eclipsing even the strenuous Christmas period. Then the holiday traffic is fairly well spread over several days, but at Easter all premises close for the vacation almost at the same hour, and. surging crowds, armed with holiday baggage, demand instantaneous attention. With the homeward Easter 1 crowds the traffic is less concentrated because the length of the vacation varies somewhat. Nevertheless, the great homeward trek will commence to-day and another exceedingly busy day is in prospect for raihvaymen. Lack ol Rolling Stock.

Shortage of rolling stock has accentuated the natural seasonal difficulties. At such a time a foreman's task bristles with problems. By five o'clock one evening, at the peak of the traffic rush, there were no cars in the Auckland yard, and eight expresses were due for despatch that evening. Nevertheless, there was very little delay in the subsequent despatch of those trains. It iis on record that one carriage made three suburban trips, and then finished the day as a unit in a relief express to Wellington. Every car available had to bo pressed into commission to cope with the phenomenal demands for accommodation. The fact is that very few extra cars have been provided to meet the-increased demands made by the opening of the East Coast railway and the running of through trains to Opua. Some complaint has been made by passengers 3,t being forced to accommodate themselves in the old type of carriage, with long seats running the length of the vehicle. The use of such vehicles, officials point out, was unavoidable, and in making up trains preference was naturally given to long-distance travellers m the allocation of the more comfortable type of carriage. Expresses Delayed. The ordinary express from Wellington, which normally arrives at Auckland at 6.40 a.m., did not arrive until nearly 10 a,m. on Saturday. The train was three hours late in leaving Wellington owing to a shortage of rolling-stock, and carriages of a down train had to bo awaited and immediately requisitioned. The limited express, due at 9.30 a.m., was consequently delayed, but arrived at Auckland only three-quarters of an hour behind schedule. There was little delay in yesterday's running time, but traffic was of only normal proportions. Eight carriages made up last evening's south-bound limited express, while the ordinary express had 18 carriages. Tho latter, however, was not a full train, and tho extra rolling stock went forward to fulfil southern demands. In addition to the daylight limited, which will continue until next Saturday, the night limited and the 'ordinary express, a relief express will run to Wellington to-day. Tho lastnamed is to leave at 8.40 p.m., and, in view of earlier experience, the department is holding itself in readiness for the despatch of a second relief express. Special Inquiry Officers.

Holiday excursion fares will be available for purchaso until to-dav. The return journey has to be made by May 4. With a view to meeting public inquiry, a special Easter time-table has been issued free, while special inquiry officers, distinguishable by a yellow hat-band and armlet, have patrolled the platforms at Auckland, Frankton, Marton, Palmerston and Thorndon. Curiously enough, the personal service has been the most sought after. Instead of consulting the timetable to have every query infallibly answered, travellers have preferred to pin their faith to the ribanded officials, expecting them to answer on the instant a variety of intricate questions. And that confidence has' not been greatly misplaced. Such rushes as are experienced at Easter emphasise the inadequacy of the facilities at the Auckland station. The one consolation is that every day the new station, now taking practical shape, is being brought nearer completion. But in some quarters it is believed that certainly another Christmas and probably another Easter will pass before the full use of the modern facilities now in prospect will be available.