MOTOR COMPETITION

Southland Times, Issue 19099, 17 November 1923, Page 3

MOTOR COMPETITION

RAILWAYS SUFFER ON COAST. (Special to the Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, November 15. The last few weeks have witnessed a phenomenal growth in the motor transport on the West Coast, to such extent that the motor now constitutes a most formidable rival to trains for passenger traffic. On the suburban routes some passenger lines do not pay unless mixed trains are employed, and the consequent delays in shunting and loading make the journey, especially from Greymouth to Hokitika, too slow and weary to become popular. It is not surprising under such circumstances to find that new motor services are springing up everywhere. Their popularity seems to establish the conclusion that the train service upon which passengers had previously to depend, did not entirely satisfy them. Another motor service is proposed between Hokitika and Greymouth, and another service is also to be established between Runanga and Greymouth. Already there is direct motor communication between Otira, Hokitika and Waiho, depriving the railway of a good deal of revenue which it would otherwise secure from passengers. Except for the goods service on the Westland section, the railways may in time become out-distanced by petrol-driven vehicles. \