COMMUNICATIONS
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nearly two miles of steel cable. During the year 2.3 million pas- sengers were carried. The Peak Tram has been accident-free since it was opened.
In addition to the franchised transport companies, there are categories of licensed vehicles known as public and private light buses. By the end of the year 3,813 public light buses and 1,567 private light buses were registered. Public light buses (minibuses), which ply for hire, are free to set their own routes and fares but there are certain areas or stretches of congested roads where they are not allowed to operate or where they are forbidden to set down or pick up passengers. Private light buses are not allowed to carry fare-paying passengers unless the buses are owned and operated by schools or other educational establishments.
Taxis are licensed for use on either Hong Kong Island, or in Kowloon. At the end of the year there were 3,406 licensed taxis; 2,235 in Kowloon and 1,171 on Hong Kong Island. A system of radio-operated taxis is also in operation. It has had some success but its full potential in serving outlying districts has not yet been realised because of an apparent reluctance on the part of the public to use it. There is no additional charge for this service.
Public cars are also licensed for use on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon. Some of these are used as private hire cars while others provide a service to the public in general by carrying passengers on specified and pre-arranged routes. These cars are not allowed to ply for hire in the streets and all their trips must be pre-arranged. Some public cars are also radio-operated. By December 31, 884 public cars were licensed.
Public and private omnibuses operate bus services other than those provided by the major bus companies and light buses. Such services include sight-seeing tours, limousine services provided by hotels and school-bus services. At the end of the year there were 1,028 public omnibuses and 386 private omnibuses. Public omnibuses are hired for the carriage of passengers under a contract or at a distinct fare for a predetermined route in accordance with the licence granted. Private omnibuses are not allowed to carry passengers for hire or reward.
FERRY SERVICES
The Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited operates a fleet of 60 diesel-engined ferries, 14 of which are vehicle ferries. The company maintains 10 routes in the harbour between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, as well as services to the New Territories.