(g)
The group noted that within the TSA the franchised external bus services could not put down any passenger who
The group was of the had boarded the bus within the TSA. view that there could be many justified reasons for the passenger to get off the bus within the TSA before
reaching the original destination.
If the Bill does not
make allowance for such reasonable causes, there could be many unnecessary implication and confusion for the passenger franchised bus operator and bus driver.
Further discussions were held with the Administration
Therefore, my
on the abovementioned points. I am pleased that the Administration basically accepted our views. honourable colleagues Mr LAU Wong-fat, Mr TAI Chin-wah, and I will move the following three amendments in the Committee Stage, namely:
(a)
(b)
(c)
20 years time limit of TSA.
Variation of boundaries of TSA subject to the supervision of the Legislative Council.
Allowing passengers boarding the external bus in TSA to be put down within TSA in case of emergency.
On the question of the third amendment concerning passengers to be put down within the TSA, the group was in
the favour of the wording "with reasonable cause". However, Administration was worried that such wording might create too
Therefore, the Administration many loopholes for abuse. proposed the wording "in an emergency" which was accepted by the group with the understanding that should experience show such provision unable to meet the needs of the travelling public in special circumstances, then the Administration would consider a suitable amendment to regulation 24A of the Public Bus Services Regulation.