EARLY SERVICE CAR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 28, 4 February 1943, Page 4

EARLY SERVICE CAR

MARTON TRIP APPROVED

“From the information before me it looks as though this trip is necessary,” commented the No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr. J. P. O. Skoglund), at a sitting in Wanganui yesterday, when granting an application by Martin and Vernon for the reinstatement of the 4.30 a.m. service car from Wanganui to connect at Marton Junction with the southbound Limited express. Mr. D. Martin, on behalf of Martin and Vernon, said the service was well patronised, particularly by businessmen, and was more essential since the Wellington-Wanganui Railway road service was eliminated. The only alternative for people travelling from Wanganui to Wellington was the New Plymouth express at noon. No rail connection with the Limited was available.

Mr. W. Bond, for the Railways Department, said there was no opposition to the application. It was regarded as a feeder service and enabled people to travel to Wellington and back in a day. Giving statistics of the number of persons carried by the 4.30 a.m. car, Mr. Martin said that 26 trips were made last month, averaging 11 passengers a trip. There were 286 passengers to Marton and 204 from Marton to Wanganui. In December the service carried a total of 346 passengers, and in November there were 349.

Martin and Vernon also made application for permission to run an extra car at 7.45 a.m. on Mondays to a Royal New Zealand Air Force station. The ordinary car was crowded and the additional service was for air personnel cn week-end leave said Mr. Martin.

“I shall have to look into this question on my return to Wellington.” said Mr. Skoglund, who said he had received a similar request from a Palmerston North firm. “We shall have to see what the Transport Department’s attitude is, but in the meantime I shall leave word for you to be granted a temporary licence to run the service on Monday mornings.”