WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1984
HE ADDED THAT EXEMPTION WOULD ONLY BE GRANTED SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC CONDITIONS BEING MET, SUCH AS THE TYPE OF PASSENGERS TO BE CARRIED, THE LOCATIONS TO BE SERVED OR THE SYSTEM OF CHARGING TO BE ADOPTED.
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IT WOULD ALSO HAVE REGARD TO THE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF A GRANTEE OVER ANY PART OF THE PROPOSED SERVICE.
THE ORDINANCE IN ITS PRESENT FORM LIMITS THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO EXTEND A FRANCHISE WHERE THE GRANTEE HAS MAINTAINED A PROPER AND EFFICIENT SERVICE SINCE DAY ONE OF THE FRANCHISE.
+IT IS CONSIDERED MORE APPROPRIATE THAT AN EXTENSION OF A FRANCHISE SHOULD BE ASSESSED ON THE GRANTEE'S CURRENT PERFORMANCE AND FUTURE CAPABILITY, + MR YUE SAID.
THE BILL THUS PROPOSES TO PROVIDE THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL WITH AUTHORITY TO APPROVE THE EXTENSION OF A FRANCHISE WHERE THE GRANTEE IS CONSIDERED TO BE CAPABLE OF MAINTAINING A PROPER AND EFFICIENT SERVICE.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN THE DEFINITION OF +PROPER AND EFFICIENT SERVICE+ BY REQUIRING A GRANTEE TO MAINTAIN ITS SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF ANY FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME AGREED BETWEEN HIM AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
ONE CLAUSE OF THE BILL ENABLES A GRANTEE TO APPLY TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO OPERATE A TEMPORARY NEW ROUTE OR TO INTRODUCE TEMPORARY CHANGES TO AN EXISTING ONE.
AMONG OTHER CLAUSES IS ONE REQUIRING A GRANTEE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER RECORD OF BUS ORDERS AND THE EXPECTED DATES WHEN THE BUSES WILL BE AVAILABLE.
MR YUE EXPLAINED THAT THIS CLAUSE IS TO ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO ASSESS THE GRANTEE'S ON-GOING ABILITY TO MEET ALL HIS COMMITMENTS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TO MAY 16.
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