THE RAILWAYS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1931, Page 5

THE RAILWAYS

FARES REDUCED. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 13. The General Manager of Railways. Mr H. H. ;Sterling, has made an important announcement in • regard to the policy of the decision of the Railways Board. The' Board has deoided to substantially reduce the passenger rates. He said the Board had decided on an immediate reduction of twenty per cent, in the ordinary Single ticket fares, and had decided to institute holiday excursion rates, equivalent to a reduction of rather more, than twenty per cent, of the ordinary fares for return tickets until further notice. • ,v’i ‘ v‘ The General Manager says that the Board recognises that the immediate effort of these new rates will be a reduction in the revenue, but the substantial concessions will - provide a welcome relief to the users of the railways in the period of depression- and will prove an aid to travel and will lead to an increased use of the trains to an extent which will ultimately mean no loss in the gross revenue.' The alterations take effect Oil Monday, September 20th. CUTS ANNOUNCED. WELLINGTON, September, loryj The General Manager of Railways; stated the Railways Board made a. review of certain train services, and had decided on alterations, which a statement sets out. Opua-Whangarei: An adjustment. v ; Auckland-Rotorua express; An additional stop. Christchurch - Dunedin - Invercargill line: The night express is abandoned, except for Sunday nights. Timaru-Fairlie : The Monday train is cancelled.

Invercargill-Bluff. The Sunday day trains are abandoned. Auckland-Rotorua “Limited" Expresses The - express from Auckland to Rotorua will in future stop at Okoroire, and the express from Rotorua to Auckland will make stops at Okoroire, Ngaruawahi and All these stops are .to those that are at presentr being made ;by. these trains. . ■", •;

Christchurch - Dunedin - Invercargill Night Express Trains: At '.presentthese trains run on three nights of the week. It has been found that business on the nights on which the trains run other than Sunday nights does not justify their continued run-: ning. The Board 1 recognises ■; that;; the; liight trains in the . .South Island are tt comparatively new service, and the. traffic is one that it would take time to develop. The Board feels, however, . .that feOwyig to „ihSo< pcefleot* JlriariciaL position it 1* unable- to continue the developmental work at the moment,; and it has, therefore, reluctantly de~ cided to suspend the running of the trains in the meantime for two nights a week. The trains will still leave Christchurch and Invercargill respectively, on Sunday nights.