Express Trains Run Well To Time In Spite Of Heavy Traffic

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 January 1949, Page 4

Express Trains Run Well To Time In Spite Of Heavy Traffic

With large numbers of people still travelling and many long-distance trains fully booked in advance, particularly on the Main Trunk, the railways are experiencing an exceptionally busy period. Traffic returns already to hand indicate that Christmas 1948, was at least as busy a time for the railways as the record Christmas of 1946.

In the North Island all express trains have been well patronised. On December 23, four express trains from Wellington to Auckland conveyed more than 2000 passengers; the maximum complement for one relief-ex-press being 577 passengers. On Christmas Eve, five express trains left Wellington for Auckland, conveying a further 2000 passengers. Notwithstanding these heavy loadings, the principal express and reliefexpress trains ran well to time, and lhe general manager, Mr. F. W. Aickin, is particularly pleased with lhe,standard of punctuality which was maintained during this period. Of seven long - distance express trains arriving at Wellington on December 23, three were on time and only one was more than live minutes late. On the following day, when traffic was particularly heavy, seven out of nine express trains were on time, or less than 10 minutes behind schedule. Christmas Day saw the arrival at Wellington of eight long-distance passenger trains, four of which were on time and the rest only four and ahalf minutes late on the average.