PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
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The introduction and licensing of hire cars, public cars and New Territories' taxis resulted in a substantial and much needed increase in transport facilities throughout the Colony and did much to eliminate the use of illegal forms of public transport. However, a number of vehicles are still being used illegally. In October, an Advisory Committee on Public Transport was appointed to advise Government on public transport services in general.
Bus Services. The China Motor Bus Co Ltd maintains bus services on Hong Kong Island. It operates a fleet of 307 vehicles— 298 buses, seven public cars and two sightseeing coaches. Twenty new buses were on order at the end of the year including four double deckers for experimental operation on low level routes.
The number of persons travelling by bus continued to increase. During 1961, the Company's fleet covered 12 million miles and carried 120 million passengers. Two new routes were introduced on the Peak to provide a link between the Peak Tram and nearby residential areas, and a new feeder service was inaugurated between Stanley Village and Stanley Fort for the convenience of military personnel and their families. Two routes were extended to areas not previously served by buses, and the frequency of other services was increased.
The Company operates a welfare centre and provides free medical treatment for all its staff. It also provides low cost housing for some 250 employees and their families and is planning addi- tional housing units at its new King's Road Depôt.
The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited runs services. in Kowloon and the New Territories.
At the end of 1961 the Company was operating 55 bus routes (33 in Kowloon, 21 in the New Territories and one on Lantau Island) an increase of 12 bus routes during the year. Frequencies of many of the services were stepped up and double deck buses introduced on several Kowloon routes and the route to Tsuen Wan which formerly used single deckers.
Land at Kwun Tong with a total area of approximately 200,000 square feet was purchased and it is the intention of the Company to construct two multi-storey depôts on these sites.
The Company's fleet totalled 721 vehicles comprising 345 double deck buses 368 single deck buses and eight tour coaches. An order