BETTER TRAIN SERVICES.

Shannon News, 17 March 1925, Page 2

BETTER TRAIN SERVICES.

MINISTER GIVES DETAILS. WELLINGTON, Last _ Night. The Hon. J. G. Coates (Minister of Railways) has now furnished for public information particulars in connection with the improved timetables for the Napier-Wellington and New Plyeiouth-Welli'ngton mail trains which it is proposed to bring into operation on March 29th. “The acceleration of these services,” said the Minister, "constitutes the commencement .of a .general policy very materially to speed up important passenger services. For many years dissatisfaction has been expressed by the travelling public at the time occupied on the journeys between Napier and Wellington and New Plymouth and Wellington. Minor improvements have been effected from time to time, but it has been recognised that if any material shortening of time was to be made, it could be done only by reducing the number of stopping places. Before these stops could bo eliminated, arrangements had to be made to provide local services to meet requirements and this has resulted in a considerable amount of reorganisation of the services.

“With regard to the two trains referred to, these have been accelerated by approximately 1J hours, by non. stop runs between Wellington and Palmerston North on the up journey, and on the downward journey the New Plymouth train will not stop between Palmerston North and Wellington, and the stopping places for the Napier train have been reduced from 12 to 6—Longburn, Shannon, Levin, Otakh Paekakariki, and Johqsonville. A considerable saving of time will be effected and at the same time long-asked for improvements provided. It has been urged for some time that these trains should reach Wellington earlier to enable passengers for the ferry boat to procure an evening meal, and catch the steamer in comfort. This has been pi'ovided, for, as the Napier mail train will arrive at Wellington at 4.16 p.m., and the New Plymouth at 6.3 p.m. The times of departure from termini have been considerably altered, but having regal'd to the improved services, the changes should meet with general satisfaction. “To serve the. district between Wellington and Palmerston North formerly served by mail trains, a new passenger train will be run, leaving Tliorndon at 8.20 a.m. and stopping at ill slat ions, arriving at Palmerston North at: 12.1 p.m. On the return journey, it will leave Palmerston North at 3.48 p.m. and arrive at Wellington at 7.44 p.m. Passengers,from stations between Palmerston Nortn and Wellington who desire to connect with the ferry steamer may travel by the down Napier train from the more important stations, or by the mixed train which will leave Palmerston at J. 40 p.m., to follow the Napier mail and that leaving Otaki at 4.30 P.m., to follow the New Plymouth mail and arrive at Wellington at 7.10 p.m.. in ample time for the steamer. “An additional train will also be run in from Paekakariki at 3.35 p.m., ar. riving at Thorndon at 5.58 p.m. The present 7.10 a.m. PalmerstonWellinglon mixed train is being cancelled between Paekakariki and Palmerston North. The latter train will leave Thorndon at 4.17 p.m., arriving at Paekakariki at 5.50 p.m. The present 3.5 7 Wellington.Johnsonville train will be cancelled. The 5.10 p.m. Wel-lington-Johnsonville train will run ili rough to Paekakariki. The 5.25 p.m. Wellington.Paekakariki train will run as far as Johnsonville only. Tit' present 6.5 S a.m. Palmerston North-Wellington train will arrive at Wellington at 11.15 a.m., instead of 10.50 a.m. On the return journey it will leave Thorndon at. 5.40 p.m. instead of 5.55 p.m. Other local services in the North Island districts including Woodville and Wairarapa, will be altered and accelerated.