THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1921, Page 4

THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

The news published elsewhere in this issue that the Railway Department lias agreed to improve the local train services as from Monday next will be hailed with satisfaction throughout Taranaki. For years efforts have been made to bring about an alteration and improvement in the services, but without avail, one reason being that the various parts of the province did not see eve to eye with each other ip regard to the alterations. But on this occasion earc was taken to obtain the desired unanimity before approaching the Department; also to confine the requests to what was practicable and advisab e in these times of financial stnngency and consequent business contraction. The principal feature of the requests was the re-arrangement and speeding up the services so as to enable passengers to reach their destinations at more com venient times and to return home with a minimum loss of time. The new timetable, particulars of which appear else-

where, shows that the Department has carried out the proposals submitted by the Taranaki Chambers of Commerce. The Department in this instance has certainly shown a des'ire to meet the wishes and consult the convenience of the travelling public and commercial community,, and is deserving of due credit therefor. That the improved services will bring their reward in the way of increased revenue there can be no doubt., for the present services could hardly be more inconvenient. The time was when the department had a monopoly of the transit business, and could do what it liked. That time has passed with the improvement and reliability of the motors, particularly where good roads exist, and the Department must study the interestfl and the convenience of the public if it wishes to successfully compete with its new and formidable rival and make the railways a commercial success, which they are a long way from being to-day.