D.—2

Compared with the year 1933-34, the variations in passenger traffic, other than season tickets, are as follow : —-

The variations in ordinary passenger traffic were distributed between first class and second class as follow :—

An increase of £28,641 (2-46 per cent.) is shown in passenger revenue, notwithstanding the fact that no Easter traffic is included in this year's figures. If Easter receipts be eliminated from last year's figures, the increase is £83,641, or 7-54 per cent., which is quite an appreciable advance. The statistics of passenger traffic show a steady rise over the last three years. The rise shown during the year in the standard-fare figures was maintained during each fourweekly period, with, of course, the exception of the Easter periods, indicating a real increase in general passenger traffic and one likely to be maintained rather than a mere fluctuation due to particular events. Suburban traffic showed little variation from last year. In the first half of the year this class of traffic was not quite up to the level of the previous year, but a distinct improvement was shown in the second half of the year, due partly to the fine summer experienced, and, in lesser degree, to the extra traffic handled on the occasion of the visit of H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester. An outstanding feature of the passenger business in recent years has been the growth of day and special-excursion traffic, the revenue index figure having risen from 253 in 1932 to 388 in 1935, while the revenue earned this year was nearly four times as much as in 1926. An increase of £37,211 (28-38 per cent.) was shown last year in the receipts from this traffic, and a further advance on last year's figures is again recorded this year, the increase being £21,226 (12-61 per cent.). Of this latter increase, £17,098 (23-16 per cent.) is shown in that portion of excursion traffic comprising special excursions to tourist resorts and between important centres of population, Sunday, week-end, and market-day excursions. Day excursions showed an increase in receipts of £3,457, or 16-71 per cent. School and other picnic traffic increased by £2,148, or 8-09 per cent. The exceptionally fine summer contributed to some extent to the general increase in excursion traffic, which has been keenly fostered throughout the Dominion. Particular reference to the Board's activity in this direction has already been made in this report. The revenue from season tickets this year was £175,316, compared with £171,603 for the previous year, an increase of £3,713. The issue of workers' weekly tickets increased by 12,058, with an increase in revenue of £2,110, while most other descriptions of tickets also recorded advances, due to a slight easing of the unemployment situation.

VIII

Journeys. Description. — Variation. 1935. 1934. Number. Number. Number. Per Cent. Standard fare .. .. .. 3,280,370 3,272,410 + 7,960 0-24 Suburban .. .. .. .. 2,221,420 2,205,172 + 16,248 0-74 Day and special excursion and other re- 2,307,245 2,033,764 +273,481 13-45 nnppn tptpq — ' 7,809,035 7,511,346 +297,689 3-96 Revenue. Description. Variation. 1935. 1934. ! £ £ £ Per Cent. Standard fare 929,848 923,182 + 6,666 0-72 Suburban .73,945 73,196 + 749 1-02 Day and special excursion and other re- 189,579 168,353 + 21,226 12-61 duced fares 1,193,372 1,164,731 + 28,641 2-46

First Class. j! Second Class. j Total. Number. Per Cent. Number. Per Cent. Number. Per Cent. Journeys .. .. + 8,053 1-81 +289,636 4-10 +297,689 3-96 £ £ £ Revenue .. ..j +11,518 4-99 + 17,123 1-83 + 28,641 2-46