COMMUNICATIONS
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On Hong Kong Island two public transport companies are given exclusive franchises to operate bus and tram services. In Kowloon and the New Territories another company has the exclusive franchise to run a public bus service. The railway services are described earlier in this chapter. Taxis operate on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon, while New Territories taxis-most of which are nine-seater vans hired jointly by groups of people— operate between Kowloon and the New Territories. They also operate to a smaller extent between New Territories towns. Tourists make almost exclusive use of public cars, which are available with or without drivers, and sightseeing services provided by hotels and travel agencies in tour coaches. There are ample goods vehicles of all sizes available for casual hire. Dual purpose vehicles, which have accommodation for passengers as well as goods, cater for those who wish to accompany small consignments of goods.
Two large ferry companies have monopolies to operate services on specified routes across the harbour. Other minor cross harbour services operate under licence.
Of the 1,019 million passengers carried by the five major public transport companies 514.2 million passengers or 50.5 per cent of the total were moved by the Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Ltd. Next, in their order of magnitude, came the Hong Kong Tramways, Ltd which carried 191 million, or 18.7 per cent. The remainder was split between the China Motor Bus Company which carried 143 million or 14 per cent, the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Ltd which carried 121.6 million or 12 per cent, and the Star Ferry Company Ltd which carried 49.2 million or 4.8 per cent.
In October 1961 the Governor appointed an Advisory Com- mittee on Public Transport to keep under continuing review the routes, frequency, capacity and fares of public services. The com- mittee consists of a chairman, who is not a civil servant, five heads of Government departments concerned with public transport and five unofficial members. The operators are not represented on the committee. The committee has dealt with numerous complaints and considered longer term questions on public transport. It has recommended an overall public transport survey which is still in the planning stage.