CONFIDENTIAL #2
6
機密
12.
The Aftermath of Typhoon Agnes
Respondents felt that there was considerable confusion soon after the hoisting of the No. 8 typhoon signal in the morning of 26.7.78 as everyone tried to rush home at the same time. The majority did not accept the explanation provided by the Royal Observatory for the "untimely" hoisting of the No. 8 signal and held that advanced satellite equipment should have ensured early detection of the strength-and- direction of the typhoon. As it was, much inconvenience and chaos had resulted, especially in public transport.
13.
The most common target of complaint was taxi service; that taxi-drivers solicited high fares and were very selective in destinations. There were also fewer taxis in operation. According to some owner-drivers, damage caused to vehicles during typhoons was not covered in the insurance policy and for this reason many of them did not ply for hire during the typhoon period. Taxi companies did not appear to have taken out insurance policies on injuries sustained during typhoons for their drivers, and those who remained in operation were taking great risks and were therefore inclined to overcharge. Whilst respondents were generally appreciative of the risks involved, they still hoped that taxi-drivers would have some self-discipline. Much overloading and overcharging of PLBs were reported; a PLB route was often divided into sections and commuters had to pay different fares for the different sections. Services of franchised buses were also thought to
be inadequate.
14
suggested
The following proposals for improvement were
(a) More policemen or inspectors and regulators of
the public transport companies should be deployed at busy stops and ferry picrs to maintain order as the sheer size of the commuters anxious to get
home could easily cause confusion.
/ (b) When
CONFIDENTIAL #2
機密