BEDNESDAY. PIR.
*AN INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE OF OUR CONTINUING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND THE COVERAGE OF OUR STATISTICAL SERVICES IS THAT VARIOUS SERIES WILL, EVERY NOW AND THEN, HAVE TO BE REVISED AND EVEN RE-DEFINED, HE SAID.
THE PREVIOUS MAJOR REVISION TO THE GDP SERIES WAS MADE IN FEBRUARY 1980.
MR JACOBS PRAISED THE DEPARTMENT FOR +PROVIDING TIMELY AND RELIABLE STATISTICS ON GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER.+
+CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE BUT EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE WITH A VIEW TO ACHIEVING FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS,+ HE SAID.
BUSES MUST PASS STRINGENT TESTS
****
A BUS MUST PASS A CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS (COF) INSPECTION BEFORE IT IS ALLOWED ON THE ROAD, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
COF INSPECTIONS ARE CARRIED OUT AT INTERVALS RANGING FROM THREE TO FIVE YEARS, MR SCOTT SAID IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON PAULINE NG.
THE INTERVAL BECOMES SHORTER AS THE BUS BECOMES OLDER, HE POINTED OUT.
+A PARTICULAR FEATURE OF THE COF INSPECTION IS THE MANDATORY OVERHAUL OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE BRAKING, STEERING AND SUSPENSION SYSTEMS,+ HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, EACH YEAR BEFORE A BUS IS RELICENSED, IT MUST PASS A CERTIFICATE OF ROAD WORTHINESS TEST.
THIS TEST COVERS 26 SEPARATE CHECKS, INCLUDING THE CHECKING OF THE DRIVING AND ENGINE CONTROLS, THE STEERING SYSTEM, THE BRAKING SYSTEM, THE SUSPENSION AND SHOCK ABSORBER SYSTEM, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND TYRES, MR SCOTT POINTED OUT.
ALSO, UNDER THE PUBLIC OMNIBUS SERVICES ORDINANCE, THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE PROPER VEHICLE MAINTENANCE FACILITIES AND TO KEEP FULL RECORDS OF VEHICLE MAINTENANCE.
THESE FACILITIES AND RECORDS ARE SUBJECT TO INSPECTION BY
THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR SCOTT SAID.
+IF A COMPANY FAILS TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE BUS MAINTENANCE
SERVICE AND FAILS TO COMPLY WITH A DIRECTION FROM THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO IMPROVE THE SERVICE, THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL MAY UNDER SECTION 22 OF THE ORDINANCE IMPOSE
A PENALTY OF UP TO $10 000 IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, GOING UP
TO $50 000 ON SUBSEQUENT OCCASIONS, HE SAID.
AND ULTIMATELY, POWER RESTS WITH THE GOVENOR-IN-COUNCIL TO REVOKE A FRANCHISE, HE ADDED.
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