1953-1954 — Page 7

6. In August the Chinese Section of the Line put on an additional train in each direction to deal with the increase in passengers.

7.

A most gratifying saving in operating expenditure amounting to $288,000 resulted from the ability to purchase heavy fuel oil at a price which made it more economical than coal.

8. Systematic inspections of engine driving technique during the latter portion of the year has also produced consider- able savings in fuel.

9. For the first time since the war it was possible to obtain hardwood sleepers from Australia at a figure of $32.30 each, which was competitive with creosoted semi-hardwoods from Malaya of the previous year. These eucalypts do not need creosoting and have always proved the most durable of any used on the Line.

TRAFFIC

10. There is very little to report from the Traffic Section this year, as there were no major events or change in policy.

11. Traffic earnings were slightly less than those of the year before:

1953/54

$5,028,632

1952/53

$5,160,502

Decrease per cent

2.56

12. Passenger Bookings. Local passenger traffic continued to improve. Passenger journeys were up by 187,414, and revenue by $106,089. This indicates that the villages alongside the railway are becoming more populous.

On February 5th, 1954, the occasion of the Chinese New Year, this short line with only 32 coaches again created a passenger carrying record. Passengers booked numbered 42,252 and 16 additional trains were run.

2

ลง

#