WELLINGTON EXPRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21111, 19 February 1932, Page 10

WELLINGTON EXPRESS.

DEPARTURE IN AFTERNOON.

ALTERATION ON APRIL 4

GENERAL MANAGER'S STATEMENT

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Thursday. The Railways Board lias decided to inaugurate the altered departure time of tlio ordinary Auckland-Wellington express on Monday, April 4. The train will leave Auckland at 3 p.m. instead of 7.40 p.m., and it will run every weekday, instead of from Sunday to Friday, as at present.

The general manager of railways, Mr. P. G. Roussell, stated to-day that the main advantage which the Railways Board saw when deciding upon the change was that it provided a wider margin of time between the running of the limited and tlio ordinary express trains out of Auckland. The existing service, which allowed only 40 minutes between the departure times of these trains, did not permit of the best use being made of them as a means of general transport. "A considered analysis of the, whole position shows that the benefits to be derived from an earlier departure will be felt over a very wide area." said Mr. Roussell. "and will more than counterbalance certain disadvantages which the altered schedule of the ordinary express will produce iri regard to passengers to and from stations Taihape to Feilding inclusive, and to and from Wanganui." Summary of Advantages.

Mr. Roussell said the main points of advantage could be summarised as follows :

(1) The provision of a daily express service from Auckland to Wellington. Under the existing time-table there is no, express leaving Auckland for Wellington between 7.40 p.m. on the Friday night and 7 p.m. on the Sunday night. (2) Auckland-Hamilton area: The new timing, which allows visitors to Auckland by the morning "trains to have some hours in the city, and then to be home in time for dinner in the evening, will make a very convenient and attractive intermediate service between the present outward morning and evening trains —such a service, in fact, as may be calculated to create a considerable volume of new business.

(3) Taneatua-Tauranga and Thames lines:. Travellers from these lines for points south of Taumarunui at present have a long wait at Frankton Junction. Under the new timing of the AucklandWellington express a greatly improved connection will bo made.

(4) King Country area: The new timing will bo more suitable than the present ono to travellers for King Country stations as far south as Ohakune. (5) National Park: The present timing is unsuitable both for visitors from the north travelling to this favourite holiday resort and for southern visitors returning from it, as the present hour at which the express calls there (3.46 a.m.) is very uncongenial to the average traveller. The new times (arrive National Park 11.8 p.m. and depart 11.12 p.m.) will provide a more attractive service. * Despatch of Mails. "The limited express carries only a limited quantity of letter mail," said Mr. Roussell. "The travelling post office and the ordinary mail go by the ordinary express. The altered timing will enable this mail to reach New Plymouth by 1 p.m. instead of 7.48 p.m., and Napier at 12.56 p.m., instead of the present 4.57 p.m., with, of course, corresponding improvement at intermediate stations in the Hawke's Bay, Wanganui and Taranaki areas. In addition, the ordinary mail for Wellington will arrive in time for the morning instead of the afternoon delivery. "In conclusion," said Mr. Roussell, "the board desires it to be understood that this vital change in the running of a main Dominion service was not decided upon without first submitting the proposal to the most searching examination in ail its bearings. Having decided upon the change, the board trusts to have the good will and support of the public in making this service, in all its functions, increasingly effective in meeting the general needs of travellers on the Main Trunk."