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Those people who travel entirely by surface
public transport will, it is true, experience greater
comfort, as overcrowding is reduced, but the lower
patronage of surface public transport implies lower
revenues and, therefore, fares higher than at present.
Nevertheless, as we decided to construct the Mass Transit
Railway in order to alleviate congestion it is inevitable
that the cost of all public transport will be a little
higher. In particular, the comfort and convenience of
a modern transport system which reduces waiting times
and increases the speed of travelling must be paid for.
The alternative is a very rapid deterioration in travel
conditions generally with all that that would involve for
the quality of life and economic efficiency.
To sum up: Sir, the intention is that a range
of public transport services, differing in comfort,
convenience, speed and cost will be made available to
the public. Bus, PLB and ferry services are expected to
continue to operate in MTR corridors, after the MTR
opens, as there will still be a major role to be played
by surface public transport modes. For example, in the
opening year of 1980 the MIS is expected only to reduce
patronage of all other public transport modes combined
by 15 per cent. Furthermore, in the same year, it iş
predicted that ferries and cross-harbour buses will cater
for more than 50 per cent of passengers crossing the
harbour by public transport. In other less competitive
/ corridors