RUN ON TIME

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16227, 29 December 1926, Page 7

RUN ON TIME

N.Z. TRAIN SERVICES WHAT THE FIGURES SHOW 0 ‘ Does the running of trains in New Zealand compare favorably with the running of trains in other countries? Interesting light is shed on this question (which is invariably discussed at holiday time) by Romo statistics recently prepared by the Railway Department, showing the total number of occasions on which long-distance passenger trains reached their destination on time during flic last railway financial year. *

It is found that out of 9456 journeys, trains reached their destinations to the minute on (3529 occasions, an ontime average of nearly (59 per cent. This result is regarded as being particularly striking when it is remembered that in New Zealand trains have frequently to travel through country the natural con formation of which presented engineering difficulties of great magnitude for solution. The figures given also take cognisance or delays due to traffic contingencies, such as crossing trains, extra rushes of passengers, etc., and delays arising from slips, floods, etc., included in the term ‘ ‘ act of God. ’ ’

The average late arrival of suburban trains operating in New Zealand during the same period was 0.(38 minutes —so near to absolutely accurate running as to make the late running practically negligible. On long distance passenger trains the average late arrival was 5 minutes 54 seconds. As that includes the running of expresses in both islands, covering distances from 200 miles to 425 miles, the result is held to be a tribute to the efficiency of the transport arrangements and to the attention the staff has paid to the necessity for prompt running.