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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 7, Issue 1 (May 1, 1932.)

Back To The Rail

Back To The Rail.

Because of an increasing realisation amongst the public that duplicated transport services do not pay the country, there is now arising a distinct “back to the rail” movement, particularly in those districts served by branch lines which are not returning actual working expenses to the railways. The indications are that the public in the areas now served by these unprofitable branch lines, are realising more fully that there is a limit to the capacity of the taxpayers of the Dominion as a whole to subsidise such unprofitable lines where the national cost of the services is out of all proportion to the traffic offering. This applies more especially in those cases where the more profitable classes of our traffic are being eroded by opposition services. It is in the branch line districts that the “social service” value of the railways is most strongly felt—now that the possibility of losing their line altogether is before the minds of the residents. In many districts there is a strong drive to have everything sent by rail, and the cost to the community of keeping competitive services going is being computed,—with results which show an expense account clearly beyond what the country can actually afford.

Our endeavour always is to give a service commensurate with the needs,—one which will make the business offering for the trains run, pay for their operation. To the extent that our volume of traffic is increased, to that same extent can we give improved and increased service.

General Manager.