THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINMURI GAZETTE. – Motto Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1928. RAILWAY PASSENGER TRAFFIC.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5327, 17 September 1928, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette. With which is incorporated THE OHINMURI GAZETTE. - Motto Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1928. RAILWAY PASSENGER TRAFFIC.

' The decline: in passenger traffic on the New Zealand railways that has been experienced since the year 1921 has had a very serious effect on the financial position of the railways. The problem is not peculiar to New Zealand, but is causing grave concern to railway managements in practically all coiinjtries. In the seven-year period 1914-21 the number of passengers carried by rail increased from 23,200,000 to, 28,800,000’. or by 24 per cent., and the revenue frqln £1,450,000 to £2,658,;000, or by 83 per cent. Between 1921 and 1928 .the number of passengers has decreased to 25,400,000, or. by 12 per cent., and the revenue to. £2,150,-’ 000, or b” 10 per cent. The decrease is confined to the more profitable ordinary passenger traffic. Seasonf-ticket business has shown a. steady increase,' which is very marked in t;hc low-rate suburban weekly tickets. A decline o.f 6,016,483 ordinary passengers has been accompanied by a decrease of £568.351, in revenue, while an increase qf 2,574,365 season-ticket passengers was responsible for an; increase of only £59.914 in revenue, according to the N.Z. Railways Statement. The decline in revenue ha's ite.t been followed by a commensurate decrease in expenditure.. On. the contrary, it has been necessary to provide increased and faster train services, together with improved facilities and rolling stock, in, the endeavour, to meet competitive conditiqns and relain a fair share of the business. The pa.ssenger train mileage iir(■reased by 27 per cent, —from 3,082.009 to 1921 to 3,725,000 ip 1928 ; while the revenue per train mile decreased from 207 d to 131(1.. equal to. 37 per cent. Every endeavour has beep made: to reduce costs, but the total running expenses have increased considerably. Higher train sneedp: have, resulted in greater cxpei iliture qn maintenance of track. Improved standards in the comfort of passenger accommodation have, been followed by a constant increase m capital cost, lu.iin.lenanre expenses, and tare weight of carriages, with a. reduction in carrying capacity. In order ,to encourage: traffic selling and publicity organisations have been built up, improved' booking facilities have been provided, and every avenue for exploiting the business has been thoroughly explored. While there is no doubt that this policy has been abundantly justified, it is unquestionable that the cost cf carrying a much smaller volume of passenger, .traffic has increased, both actually and relatively, and. the financial position of th© railways ha.s been seriously weakened'. i