S 4
The increase can be attributed to the increased population resident in the New Territories coupled with the factors referred to in paragraph 7 above.
10. As a corollary to the growth of passenger traffic, local goods receipts rose from $28,193.15 to $40,645.96, or 44.17%.
11. The earnings from the sale of combined rail and bus tickets to Sha Tau Kok increased by $10,301.35 from $13,388.25 to $23,689.60, or 76.94%. The reasons for this advance have already been given.
12. The value of the rail-bus shuttle service between Taipo Market and Fanling continues to demonstrate itself. Although the receipts from this source alone are only 15.48% higher than last year, yet the normal passenger train bookings between these two points have shown a further increase of 92.34% over the figures for 1938 which in turn were 389.45% higher than those of 1937. The gain resulting from the elimination of the uneconomic overlapping of road and rail services can be gauged from the fact that rail earnings on this section have increased from $1,713.80 in 1937 to $15,989.78 in 1939. This latter figure is made up of $7,316.65 from the rail-bus and $8,673.13 from the ordinary train service. This striking advance has been achieved at the expense of an increased annual cost of only $5,330.00.
2. Rates and Fares.
13. No alterations were effected in rates and fares during the year.
3. Operating.
14. A new timetable was introduced on January 1st which consisted of 16 local passenger trains, 2 local goods and 14 rail-bus journeys daily.
15. In the interests of economy, the service was devised to enable the complete steam train schedule to be operated with three locomotives. Train punctuality has suffered slightly in consequence, due to the absence of a relief engine on those occasions when a breakdown has occurred; but the resultant savings have outweighed this small disadvantage.
16. On February 21st, Japanese aeroplanes bombed Shum Chun and Lowu Stations and a passenger train at the 20 mile post. This train was approaching Lowu when the raid commenced. It was stopped by its crew one mile south of the border, and two bombs were dropped within a few feet of it. Damage was caused to the locomotive, an open 30-ton goods wagon and a third-class passenger brake-van, while window glass was shattered in four other carriages. The permanent way was affected and instrument and telephone wires destroyed for some 250 yards. There were no casualties amongst the railway staff or passengers.
17. Accidents, personal and operating, were as follows:
Passengers died on trains Staff killed on duty 1 Staff injured on duty 5 Trespassers killed by trains Trespassers injured by trains.. Derailments 3 Engine failure 1 Damage to Permanent Way 2