NIGHT EXPRESSES

Southland Times, Issue 20495, 25 May 1928, Page 8

NIGHT EXPRESSES

CANTERBURY SCHEME CHRISTCHURCH TO DUNEDIN CONNECTION WITH INVERCARGILL TRAIN The following letter in connection with better train facilities between Invercargill and the north has been received from the Secretary of the Canterbury Progress League, and was read at last night’s meeting of the Southland League:— V “The question of running night express trains between Christchurch and Dunedin is being seriously discussed here and the proposal is generally regarded as sound and one that should be tried out during the winter period when the day services areoperating on a reduced schedule. “The idea is favoured in Dunedin and there is also some reason for believing that the authorities in Wellington consider the South Island is entitled to some special consideration in the way of more convenient train services for the travelling public. “The main justification for a night service, of course, is that it would meet the desires of the travelling business public, but there is no doubt that it would further justify itself by inducing new traffic be cause it would reduce the time occupied in a business trip from Christchurch to Dunedin and ihturn to one business day instead of three days, which are necessary at present. “In time, this reduction would serve as a most powerful incentive to business people to travel, and the possibilities in this direction are so great that the Department should not hesitate to give the idea a fair trail. At the present time a business man in Christchurch can journey to Wellington and back, allowing a full day in the capital, without missing more than one business day, whereas a similar visit to Dunedin involves a loss of three days. “The details of the proposed service need not be discussed at this stage except to say that the night trains should run at least three days per week, preferably Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from Christ-

church, and Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Dunedin. Needless to say, the night trains from Christchurch should arrive in Dunedin in ample time to connect with the Invercargill express. The southern passengers arriving in Christchurch by the ferry steamer on Sunday morning would be able to continue their journey south by the night express leaving here the same day. It is suggested that the Department should be requested to try out the experiment during the present winter and with that object in view, I would ask you to bring the proposal under the notice of your league with a view to its being approved and strongly urged at that end. “In conclusion, I might say that the matter will be fully discussed at a meeting of my league to be held on June 6, and in the meantime I would appreciate any information you can let me have concerning the views of your members and the amount of support we might expect from that end.”

It was decided that the letter be submitted to the Chamber of Commerce which was at present occupying itself with the question of winter train services.