“A SUNDAY EXPRESS.”

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1922, Page 7

“A SUNDAY EXPRESS.”

NEW PLYMOUTH TO WELLINGTON. “AARD” MOTOR SERVICE. A long-felt need in Taranaki has been some kind of a Sunday passenger service through to the southern towns. Hitherto there has been no regular means of passenger communication on Sundays, and when the necessity arose a car had to be hired at great expense to make a special trip. The Railway Department does not see its way to run Sunday trains, but the well-known “Aard” Motor Service has recognised the possibilities of development in a Sunday service, and ha sinstituted a system of passenger services covering all the important routes in the southern portion of the North Island.

The system was put into operation on Sunday last, and if sufficient inducement offers it will be continued throughout the season. By this system it is possible for a passenger to leave New Plymouth at 7 a.m., visit Palmerston North and return the same evening. Or he : may go on to Wellington in considerably faster time than the same journey can be accomplished by our fastest train. A passenger may also leave Wellington in the morning, travel to Wanganui and return that evening, while the Napier and Taihape townships are also connected with fast and efficient Sunday services. ’When the “Aard Sunday express” becomes known to the public there is every probability of it developing into a most important service, and it will be greatly appreciated by the travelling public. The fares charged are surprisingly reasonable, the passage from New Plymouth to Wanganui costing only 32/6, and other distances in proportion. The first car le.ft Mr. G. Gibson s. garage, New Plymouth, at 7 a.m. on Sunday, and reacned Wanganui at exactly 11 a.m., thus reducing the mail train time by about an hour. At Wanganui other cars of the service were waiting, and left at once for Palmerston North, where another change of cars could be made for either Wellington, Napier or Taihape, and all places en route. There was no hitch in the inaugural trip, all connections being made promptly and conveniently. The Taranaki “express” leaves Wanganui on the return trip to New Plymouth shortly after 3 o’clock, on connecting with the through car from Wellington ancl Palmerston North, and easily accomplished the journey in four hours. A Daily News’ representative made the return trip from New Plymouth to Wanganui oh the inaugural occasion, and found it not only fast and convenient, but comfortable and pleasant as well. All the cars are highpowered and beautifully appointed, and the drivers know the roads and their machines. ’