I despair at train service

In response to John Wilson (letters, Nov 26), long before Metlink thinks about expanding Masterton’s park & ride, it must fix the awful ‘‘train’’ service.

After 6.47am, the only ‘‘trains’’ to Wellington are two bus services. The journey is more than two hours, with no toilet facilities – extremely challenging for parents/grandparents with children. Very uncomfortable for many elderly with health problems, too; many of whom need to attend medical appointments in the city.

The buses are cramped, the heating/ cooling often is inadequate and there are no curtains to protect from the sun’s heat and glare. The journey is bumpy, noisy and the swaying on the hill is unpleasant (sick bags provided).

The staff are excellent and the drivers do their careful best, but we are told not to expect daytime trains back for 2 to 3 years during track upgrades.

I wrote to Metlink suggesting that once a week, or fortnight, especially in school holidays, trains be reinstated, but have received no reply.

Helen Hawke, Masterton

The train service between Wellington and Wairarapa is thoroughly inadequate, and regular daytime rail trips still several years away, a correspondent says.