Fare increase not much to rail against
Anywhere else and a 20 per cent fare rise could cause passengers to complain long and loud.
When Palmerston North’s Esplanade Scenic Railway announced it would add $0.50 to its $1.50 one-way and $2.50 return fares from January 1, the first fare increase in 10 years, there were instead congratulations.
The fares will rise to $2 and $3 respectively, and Facebook feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
‘‘Wow, no increase for 10 years! You guys rock. Still a very cheap thing to do with the kids,’’ said one post.
The train is also dropping its eight-trip concession tickets, but will continue to redeem them, while under-twos will still ride for free.
Scenic Railway president Grant Taylor said the $0.50 increase on both fares was due to ‘‘rising costs’’.
‘‘We need to keep the fleet maintained. We have one loco out of action at the moment. It needs new wheel sets. They are $400 each and it’s got six of them.’’
The locomotive in question is the venerable and original 50-yearold 1967 DA.
‘‘There are increased diesel and oil prices. Track costs $100 a metre. We have to meet health and safety standards. To build and paint a new carriage costs between $11,000 and $13,000, and we are trying to fundraise for a new station.’’
Taylor said members rack up 800 volunteer hours a month to keep the railway operational.
When the track opened in 1967, Taylor said rides were maybe $0.05 or $0.10 on the original 600 metre track. Last extended in 2006, the track was now 2.2kms long, and that was probably the last time the fares were raised to cover the extra distance.
A new fare schedule will also apply next year to the railway’s popular Halloween, Easter, Spring and Autumn Lights attractions.