33.
On 10th May, 1976 and 23rd hay, 1976, Prime Minister LEE Kuan- yew of Singapore went to and returned from China by rail respectively.
34.
Passenger Traffic Local passenger journeys decreased by 10.64% but international journeys increased by 4.96%. In the case of the former, the decrease is largely attributed to the new location of the Kowloon Terminal with poor connecting public transport facilities, the increase in fares, collapse of Railway Bridge No. 11 at Tai Wai and the exceptionally cold weather. The increase in journeys to China relates to the larger number of Hong Kong residents visiting relatives and friends in China.
35.
On Sunday, 4th April, 1976, the Ching Ming Festival and Monday, 5th April, 1976, 29 and 25 special trains were operated in addition to the normal daily train services and 118,638 and 64,584 passengers were carried respectively. The majority went to the Wo Hop Shek and Sandy Ridge Cemeteries.
36.
On 2nd June, 1976, the Dragon Boat Festival, 10 special trains were run to and from the New Territories to enable the passengers to see the Dragon Boat Race held at Tai Po (Yuen Chau Tsai). Altogether 21,695 passengers were conveyed to all stations.
37.
On 25th August, 1976, following a severe rainstorm, landslides were reported between University and Tai Po Kau, and Sha Tin and University at 05.15 hours and as a result, a shuttle service was initiated between Kowloon and Sha Tin and Tai Po Kau and Lo "u. The latter was extended to Sha Tin at 12.10 hours. At 08.45 hours, a deformity to the arches support- ing the bridge over the Shing Mun River just north of Tai Wai was dis- covered and the shuttle service between Kowloon and Sha Tin was suspended. The deformity was such that it was found necessary to demolish and rebuild the bridge.
38.
From 26th August to 11th October, 1976, shuttle train services were operated on both sides of the Shing Mun River. In the north, the service ran from Sha Tin to Lo #u. In the south, the service initially ran from Hung Hom to Mong Kok, but a few days later was extended to Tai Wai where a temporary station was built in forty eight hours for this service. From 1st September, 1976, a bus link was provided to transfer passengers between the two sections of the railway at no extra charge. This service remained in force until through traffic was resumed on 11th October after the construction of a new permanent single span. A further span is to be added in 1977.
39.
On Sunday, 31st October, 1976, the Chung Yeung Festival Day and Monday, 1st November, 1976, in addition to the normal service, 27 and 23 special trains were operated respectively and 86,554 and 39,505 Passengers were carried. The majority were worshippers who went to Wo Hop Shek and Sandy Ridge Cemeteries.
40.
On 20th February, 1977, the Third Day in the First Moon of the lunar calendar, a total of 85,611 passengers were conveyed to all stations. On 16th Febraury, 1977, the Day before the Chinese New Year Eve, a total of 19,425 passengers were conveyed to Lo Wu, a new record.
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