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TRANSPORTATION.
15. Through passenger traffic between the Colony and Chinese Territory has been heavy throughout the year, the number of passengers conveyed showing an increase of 51.67% over the previous period. Details are as follows:-
Terminal Traffic between Kowloon and Canton.
1946/47
No. of Passengers
Revenue
1947/48 No. of Passengers
Revenue
Up
417,353 $ 921,918
Up
765,282 $1,876,686
Down ...
526,644 1,066,709
Down .. 788,157 1,713,238
TOTAL... 943,997 $1,988,627
TOTAL... 1,553,439 $3,589,924
Sectional Through Traffic.
No. of Passengers
Revenue
No. of Passengers
Revenue
Up Down
153,536 $ 246,816 160,725 260,042
Up
214,657 $ 355,039
Down
140,320 227,444
TOTAL...
354,977 $ 582,483
TOTAL... 314,261 $ 506,858
16. The increases are attributable to the reasons given in paragraph. two of this report and the shortage of river shipping since the end of the war which has greatly reduced competition from this source. The new air service between the two cities has however affected first class travel, there having been a decline in the numbers of this class of passenger travelling by rail during the latter months of the year.
17. The number of local passengers increased by 371,282, the rise in revenue being $426,189. This was due to an improvement in the local train service which was brought about by the arrival of locomotives from Great Britain, by repairs and rehabilitation to rolling stock and the gradual re-population of the New Territories. First and second class accommodation was introduced in May and proved popular, there having been a steady increase in higher class travel.
This
In order to combat road competition, a bus service was inaugurated on the Taipo Road in October, the fares being by agreement, the same as those charged by the Railway. service, which is an extension of a local bus company's franchise, had the effect of greatly reducing the numerous lorries which were operating on this road at cut rates when not licensed to do so. The result has been increased Railway Traffic while the Govern- ment also received royalties from the bus company for passengers carried. Total figures for local traffic are as follows:-
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