N.S.W. RAILWAYS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19139, 24 October 1927, Page 9

N.S.W. RAILWAYS.

COMMISSIONERS' RECOMMENDATIONS. (by cAßLß—raass association— comright.) (AUSTRALIAN AND H. 3. CABLB ABSOCIATIOK.) SYDNEY, October 22. Mr Bavin, Premier, states that the Railway Commissioners in June last in a letter to the Works Department, outlined a scheme for an increase in passenger fares and freights to cover costs amounting to £1,728,000. This letter, says Mr Bavin, was evidently suppressed owing to the effect it would have on the public mind. The Commissioners' proposals include an increase of Bix per cent, on all country fares, seven per cent, on secondclass suburban fares, an increase of ten per cent, on most classes of goods traffic, and also an increase in tramway fares by a penny on two, three, and four sections.

POSITION IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. (ATJBTJULIAX AND X.g. CABLS ASSOCIATION.) ADELAIDE, October 22. The Committee set up by the Government to investigate State finances in its first report dealing with the Railways, says that the scheme of the previous Government of equipping the service with new locomotives and rolling stock was too large. Nearly £2,000,000 had been spent without Parliamentary authority. Passenger services, in both metropolitan and country districts, had been maintained at a heavy and increasing loss. The Chief Commissioner, who was brought from America in 1923 to reorganise the services, estimated the expenditure necessary for five years to be £4,500,000. However, £9,500,000 had been spent to June. 1927. The committee recommended an increase in fares and freights to bring in additional revenue amounting to £400,000 and substantial reductions in non-paying passenger services.