SUBURBAN RAILWAY COMPLAINTS

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1425, 27 April 1912, Page 3

SUBURBAN RAILWAY COMPLAINTS

fair,—l havo lately noted several comp.uints regarding railway management at tlio I'horudoii iiailway Station, and, on behalt of suburban residents, and regular travellers on the Mauuwatu line, 1 wish to dircct attention to other disabilities under which wo labour. The actual distance from the Uunuy ,Street startingpoint to tho Johnsonvnlo railway station is U miles 52 chains 31 links, and tile distance i'roiu tho. sumo starting-point at J>'unny .Street to a broad arrow mark at the old ticket office in the Manawalu Company's yard—now 'i'horndon .Stationis 50 chains 81 links. Now we have been charged for some years travelling distance tor seven miles, while it is readilv

seen, by the process of subtraction, tha'c the actual distauce tho Department is entitled to chargo tor is 5 miles 75 chains 00 links, or at tne most six miles.

Home years ago the ilon. Hall-Jones promised a depuration that, as soon as the Government acquired the Manawatu line, this matter of overcharge, and tho running ol' the trains to Lambton .Station, .would receive immediate attention, so that suburbanites should not be penalised by having to pay tor the mile tfiey do not travel. It is somo years since the company coase-l business—passengers are still paying for seven miles, ami are still being delivered a tew chains on tho south side of Kanvarra. The City Council reaps tho benefit of the last mile—a further penalty to the worker whose place of business is past the Government Buildings.

it frequently happens that tho 5.20 p.m. trail takes its departure from the northern end of the 'i'horndon platform. Many of tis work in the vicinity of .Manners Street. This necessitates the taking of a car, which drops tis only just in time to catch this train, and at a place immediately behind tho guard's van. Wc invariably find that all ways of progress are blocked, with tho exception of the gate at the southern end of the platform. This entails a walk of at least six extra chains—an item to be considered when tho last boll is clanging, and the coaching foreman in no humour to wait a "weo while." Should not ticket-holders be permitted to use the gato nearest tne tram? On the part of many there is a rush to catch the 5.20 p.m. train. This could be avoided if the Department could see its way clear to "split" this train, allowing one portion to get away at 5.15, to be followed by one at 5.30 p.m. Tliero aro many who are noiv unable to catch the 5.20 train, and are compelled to await the 0.25, but who would quite easily catch one at 5.30 p.m. This would enable tin Department to run a more comfortablo and faster service, inasmuch as two light trains would be more easily managed than a heavy one with two engines. We aro anxiously awaiting an announcement trom the new Minister regarding this service. 1 thank you in anticipation of granting mo space for the grievances I wish to air on behalf of fellow season ticket-holders, and casual travellers.—l am, etc., JACK S. TOWN.