G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL #
機密
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46.
We sought the advice of the Principal Government Electrical and Mechanical Engineer on the problems likely to be encountered with parking meters as the result of any changes. Officers from the Electrical and Meohanical Office described the operating mechanism of a meter and we were informed that the actuating factor was the coin diameter, and that weight and thickness of coins were not important.
We were advised that at that time approximately 9,000 meters were either in use or in store and that a further 4,000 were on order. Some could be actuated by two different coins while the remainder were geared only for the acceptance of a fifty cent coin. The Committee was advised that it was possible to convert a meter to accept a coin of any diameter providing it did not exceed the size of the present one dollar coin and that conversion could be carried out at a maximum rate of 1,000 meters a month.
47.
Although in the press release issued on 15th January, 1974, specific reference was made to the fact that the Committee was anxious to receive any comments from operators or those with an interest in the use of coin-operated machines, only two were received.
48.
The following is a summary of the views and proposals put forward with regard to coin-operated machines by those organisations which were invited by letter to submit comments. The Kowloon-Canton Railway advised that it is considering the purchase of automatic ticket vending machines. The Transport Department in conjunction with the Urban Services Department is considering the introduction of automatic equipment at multi-storey car parks. The Cross-Harbour Tunnel Co., Ltd., could see no particular merit in automatic unmanned cash collection facilities. The Hong Kong & China Gas Co., Ltd. informed us that there is no likelihood of pre-payment gas meters being introduced. The Hongkong Electric Co., Ltd. considered that in the interest of improving their service to consumers coins should be suitable for use in automatic change dispensing machines. The Hongkong & Yaumati Ferry Co., Ltd. advised us that whenever possible automatic coin machines had been installed at ferry piers. The Company considered that the shape, size and weight of any new coins should be designed with vending machines in mind and submitted that the present $1 coins were too heavy and too large for use in coin receiving machines as their bulk would cause storage problems. Frequent changes of storage bins would entail higher service
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