RAILWAY SERVICES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 266, 4 August 1921, Page 6

RAILWAY SERVICES

DRASTIC ECONOMIES ANNOUNCED MANY TRAINS CANCELLED SOUTH ISLAND SPECIALLY AFFECTED WELLINGTON SUBURBAN SERVICES Tho drastic cut in railway services recently foreshadowed in The Dominion was announced by tlie Minister of Railways yesterday. Many trains have be?n cut out altogether, and’other trains are to run only on certain days in tho week. Many brauclt lines arc to have services on three or four days a week. Tho reductions affect the South Island more than tho North Island. The southern lines in . recent months have not been producing'enough revenue to cover working expenses, whereas tho northern lines, taken as a whole, have still had a margin of rovenuo over expenditure. The Minister’s statement was as follows:— "In view of the high rate of expenditure, and the fact that the railway traffic, which has been declining since April 1, gives no sign of materially improving, it has been decided tliat a curtailment in the train services has become a matter of necessity. “Commencing from August 14, the Wednesday and Saturday trains between Wliangarei and Opua will bo cancelled, and tho through service between Whangurei and Opua will be reduced to three days per week, connecting with the Northern Company’s, steamer at Onerahi. Tho Helensvillo Auckland repress on Saturdays and the Sunday -service between Penrose and Onehunga will b? cancelled.

"Tho midday trains between Palmerston North and Foxton will bo reduced to two days par week. "In tho Wellington district tho mixed trains between Woodville and Masterton will be reduced to three days per week; the two motor trains between Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt; the 4.45 a.m. train Palmerston North to Waipukurau; and tho 11.25 p.m. Wellington-Johnson-ville train, will be cancelled. “In the South Island the alterations are as follow: — Second express Christchurch-Invercar-gill to run on three days per week. Lyttelton Line—Late passenger service to run on two days per week. Culverden-Waiau Service- Passenger service to run three days per week and goods service to run four days per week. Culverden-Waikari Service—Cancelled. Eyreton Branch Service—To run four days per week. . „ itangiora-Oxford Service—To run three days per week. . Oxford-Sheliiold Midday Train—Can- ° Waipara-Pariiassus Service—To run four days per week. , Christchurch-Little River Sorvice-To run three days per week. Lincoln-Little River-To run four days P< Christchurch-Southbridge—To run three XiSXtspringficld-To run three d nlrflrid-WMtocliffs-To run three daya P MeiCn-Rakaia-To run on four days P< Timaru-Fairlie— Present tri-weekly service to run on one day only. Waimate-Studholme-To run three days between Kurow and Ilakatarn-“oamiu-u-Hakataramea trains to terrun bro d Dunedin-St Chalmers-10.16 J.in. to Tun on Saturdays only; 11.15 />n Wednesdays\and Saturdays, instead of daily. The morning trains on Sun-d‘Sanedi’n-Mos S tetLato trains to be cut out on Wednesdays, and 9-5 and a.m. trains to bo cancelled. Lawrence-Bfiaumont-Milton P’ ? 2.5 p m., and 7.30 p.ni. trains.to bo cut out on Mondays and Thursdays. Saturday night .trams between Woodlands and Invercargill to be cancelled. Tapanui Branch-To be reduced to on Q train per day each way, with an extra train on Saturday evening. Waikaka Branch-To run on four days P< Waimea Plains-Goods trains with passenger oars to be cancelled between Gore and Lumsden. . , Switzers Branch-Service to run on four days per week. Bluff Line-Four trains cancelled. Seaward Bush Line—Saturday night trains, Invercargill-W aimahaka, caiiC< Forest Hill Line-To run four days per ” Kingston-Invercargill—Trains between ctumedqn and Kingston to be cut out on Wednesdays. Winton-Invercargill— Saturday morning and afternoon trains cancelled; also goods trains on Wednesdays. _ Mararoa Branch—Service on baturdays cancelled. Service to run on Wednesdays only. “Consequential adjustments in the times of trains will probably require to be made, full details of which will be notified by advertisement. It is intended that tho curtailed time-table shall remain in operation until the end of Noveinbor, unless in the meantime the traffic materially increases. . "For the three railway periods ending Juno 25, 1921, the increased revenue on tho Wh’angaroi section was £3028 and the increased expenditure 215303. On the South Island Main Trunk lines the increase! revenue was £10,238 and the Increased expenditure 22183,736. On the North Island Main Trunk lines tho increased revenue was .£116,554 and tho increased expenditure £293,0’30. The percentage of working expenses to rovenuo in the whole of the North Island was 1)1.34 por cent., against 69.37 per cent, for the corresponding period last year. In tho South Island! tho percentage was 104.00 per cent., against 78.33 por cent, for the corresponding period last year. The total increased revenue to date for all lines for tho three months was £1,658,683,' and the total expenditure £1,604,657. The working expenses were 96.74 per cent., against 73.21 per cent, lor the corresponds* period last year. ’