34.
Passenger Traffic Local passenger journeys decreased by 3.16% and international journeys by 7.03%. In the case of the former, the decrease could have been attributed to the new location of the Kowloon Terminal, the increase of fares, exceptionally wet weather and the effect of the economic recession in Hong Kong. The latter is given credibility due to the reduction in the number of passengers visiting relatives and friends in China.
35.
On Ching Ming Festival Day, 5th April, 1975 and Chung Yeung Festival Day, 13th October, 1975, an additional 28 and 25 special trains were operated respectively to facilitate visits to the cemeteries at Wo Hop Shek and Sandy Ridge, carrying a total of 146,060 passengers.
36.
On 14th June, 1975, the Dragon Boat Festival, 16 special trains, in addition to the normal service, carrying 41,681 passengers were run to and from the New Territories to enable the passengers to see the Dragon Boat Races held at Tai Po (Yuen Chow Tsai).
37.
On 21st and 22nd September, 1975, the Mid-Autumn Festival Public Holidays, the daily services were supplemented by 16 special trains each day and 54,250 and 39,441 passengers were carried respectively.
38.
On 2nd February, 1976, the third day in the First Moon of the lunar calendar, which was the peak for railway travel during the Chinese New Year period, 89,366 passengers were conveyed to all stations.
39.
On 16th April, 1975, Colonial Secretary, Sir Denys Roberts, K.B.E., Q.C., J.P. performed the topping out of the station car-park.
40.
On 5th May, 1975, Her Majesty the Queen unveiled a plaque opening the new Kowloon Railway Station and on 24th November, 1975, the K.C.R. Hung Hom Development Project was opened by His Excellency the Acting Governor Sir Denys Roberts, K. B. E., Q.C., J.P., at 11:00 hours.
41.
On 29th November, 1975, the old Kowloon Railway Station was closed at 16:00 hours and on the following day, the first train departed from the new Kowloon Railway Station at 08:26 hours. A new time-table with 20 trains in each direction was introduced.
42.
On 30th January, 1976, the Secretary for the Environment, Hon. J.J. Robson, C.B.E., J. P. and Mrs. Robson unveiled the bell from the old Tsim Sha Tsui station clock-tower to public view in the main concourse of the new Kowloon Railway Station where it is to remain as a focal point for people to meet as well as a reminder of the old terminus.
43.
On 23rd February, 1976, 3 unofficial members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, Hon. Mrs. Joyce Symons, 0.B.E., J.P., Hon. J.H. Bremridge, 0.B.E., J.P.; and Hon Alex S.C. Wu, O.B.E., J.P. together with the Assistant Secretary of the Councils, Mr. C. P. Lai visited the railway.
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