RAILWAY ATTRACTIONS.

Shannon News, 4 December 1928, Page 3

RAILWAY ATTRACTIONS.

MULTIPLE-TRIP AND FAMILY CONCESSIONS.

LUNCH HAMPERS, PILLOWS,' AND

DUST-GOATS.

Particulars of some of the advantages offered to the public ’by the Railway Department were given by Mr fc>. R Stedman, Levin stationmaster, m demonstrating that the railways were run for the people, m the course of his address to the Lunch Club on Inday He stated that a bearer ticket for 12 trips could bo bought for cash at a saving of per cent, and a 20-trip ticket at 20 per cent discount; the latter would entitle the holder to 10 return trips to Wellington. These tickets were unrestricted as to the period for which they could be used, and were transferable. Family tickets offered another great advantage Second-class “family return tickets” would be issued at three times-' the adult return fare for distances of not less than 20 miles, land the number of children in any family who might travel oil one such ticket was unlimited.- The children must be under 16 years of age and be accompanied by at least one of their parents.

The checking of luggage was another boon to the traveller, who was relieved of the trouble of looking after his effects, provided that he held a passenger ticket and paid a small checking fee. Luncheon hampers were now available at Marton and Frankton Junctions; and a. lady with children travelling on the Main Trunk might notify an attendant on the train that she wanted lunch brought to her, and for 3s this service would be rendered; these privileges would be increasingly availed of as they became more widely known. At the refreshment rooms' a remarkably good meal was provided for 2s 6d. Another convenience for Main Trunk travellers had been established by the provision of pillows, which could be hired at Is each. Dust-coats were lent at the same charge on the Rotorua line, Main Trunk, and certain branches. -Hat bags for ladies’ use on the dusty sections of line were provided free: “If you have not had the pleasure of travelling in a sleeping compartment,” said Mr Stedman, “I would advise you to do so. Although, perhaps, you may not actually sleep, you will enjoy a rest, and you can have a hot or cold bath in'the morning, and a shave, and by the time you have had breakfast you will have forgotten that you did not have a full night’s sleep.” The speaker also mentioned that outside the ticket office of every station was placed a framed schedule showing the fares to all the principal stations in New Zealand. Nevertheless people kept on coming to the office to inquire about fares. He added that if any person had any complaint against the railways* he or she should not hesitate to go to the station-mas-ter personally. There were many features of the system that were not understood by the public, but the officials would be only too pleased to make the position clear.