Rail fares, freight up again

Press, 24 April 1979, Page 2

Rail fares, freight up again

PA Wellington Suburban rail tares will rise 20 per cent and longdistance passenger fares 10 per cent, from May 13. The increased charges were announced yesterday by the Minister of Railways (Mr McLachlan). Railways Road Services fares will increase 10 per cent on route services and 20 per cent on suburban services. AH the charges will be rounded to 5c multiples. Rail goods rates and Cook Strait rail ferry charges will rise an average of 10 per cent. The zone rates for parcels on both rail and Railways Road Services will also go up 10 per cent. Mr McLachlan said the last increases in freight and

tare charges were in July, 1978. Since then costs had increased substantially, especially wages, where there had been several increases during the year. In addition, a further increase had just been agreed to for staff covered by the ruling rate survey. Mr McLachlan said the I working loss in suburban passenger services had been a big factor in the deficit in railways finance. The 20 per cent increase in these fares would reduce the losses incurred in suburban rail passenger services, he said. The new Road Service fare and parcels rates were subject to approval by the Secretary for Transport, he said.