THE TRAIN SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 260, 1 April 1914, Page 4

THE TRAIN SERVICE.

Now that there is some likelihood of improvement being effected in the Wel-fington-New Plymouth train service, it seems opportune to revert to the need for a better local service. If the express trains are to be run at greater speed, with fewer stopping places, it ie probable that the whole time-table will be ro-organised, in order to allow of the local morning trains acting as feeders to the fast expresses which follow them, instead of the mail train running ahead of the locals. These matters will doubtless right themselves. flirt a point among others ryjw Plymouth should impress on the railway authorities is the necessity for a. far later despatch of the evening- train southwards, At present the last train from New Plymouth leaves at -1.20 p.m.. and on every occasion when there i.s a spurts meeting the train has to he delayed to meet the convenience of visitors to Xew Plymouth. The wants of the ordinary travelling public do not get the same consideration, for representatives of the trade and commerce of the district have for years advocated running this train at least an hour later. Were this done, it would be a great convenience to people in Stratford, Inglewood, and other towns, for it would enable them to leave their homes by the afternoon train, reaching here, at three o'clock, and have reasonable time in which to visit the wholesale houses before returning. Put instead of that, it is now necessary for them to give the whole day if they require to do two ami a half hours' business in their business centre. It ha? been suggested that the. convenience of country people would he served to some extent by delaying this train on Saturday, the market day, hut even this concession has been refused by a Department that could hardly be less considerate if it were a private concern. Possibly greater efforts would be made by a private company to meet the needs of the people, for the directors would recognise in this a prospect of greater earnings and bigger dividends., The time, seems to be opportune now to press for the late departure of this train at least on Saturdays, in view of the very general adoption of Saturday for athletic contests. Tlie coming football season promises to be remarkabla in' this respect, for at the present time, the Thursday competition bids fair to die out, and town and country teams will he engaged on Saturdays. The. railway service i.s not convenient at present, for the matches rarely finish until the train is some forty minutes on its journey. The master is important to the district, and the member for the district should use whatever inllucnce lie has, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and the Tradesmen's Association, to bring about the desired change.