WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1988
22
DISCUSSIONS HELD ON EASING MTR CONGESTION
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THE GOVERNMENT HAS HELD INITIAL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FRANCHISED BUS AND PERRY OPERATORS ON PROVIDING AN ADDITIONAL CHOICE OF MODE OF TRANSPORT FOR MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY PASSENGERS IN THE MORNING PEAK PERIOD.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SELINA CHOW.
MR LEUNG SAID THE SOLE PURPOSE OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION'S PEAK CONGESTION FARE WAS TO INDUCE ABOUT 5,000 TO 6,000 PASSENGERS TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE HEIGHT OF THE MORNING PEAK BETWEEN 8 AM AND 8.45 AM STATIONS.
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TO ENSURE PASSENGER SAFETY ON TRAINS AND IN
THE PURPOSE WAS NOT TO RAISE REVENUE, HE EMPHASISED.
TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REACTIONS, THE OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION HAD DECIDED TO DEFER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PEAK CONGESTION FARE UNTIL MAY 30, HE NOTED.
BOARD
THIS WAS TO GIVE SUFFICIENT TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ARRANGE THE DEPLOYMENT OF ALTERNATIVE MODES OF TRANSPORT ΤΟ PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL CHOICE FOR THE 5,000 TO 6,000 PASSENGERS.
M
"THE BUS COMPANIES HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MOBILISE 30 EXTRA BUSES IN THE MORNING PEAK IN MAY IF REQUIRED, HE SAID.
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"MORE RESOURCES COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN THE BUSES NORMALLY HAVE SPARE CAPACITY.
"THESE ADDITIONAL BUSES WILL BE DEPLOYED ON CERTAIN EXISTING PRIORITY BUS ROUTES; NAMELY, ROUTES ORIGINATING IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES SERVING JORDAN ROAD AND TSIM SHA TSUI; AND FROM KOWLOON TO CENTRAL, WAN CHAI AND CAUSEWAY BAY."
THE BUS OPERATORS WOULD MONITOR THE LOADING SITUATION ON THESE ROUTES IN THE PEAK PERIOD AND INCREASE CAPACITY WHEREVER NECESSARY.
THE FERRIES GENERALLY HAD SPARE CAPACITY IN THE PEAK, BEING ONLY 60 PER CENT OCCUPIED.
LARGER VESSELS COULD ALSO BE DEPLOYED SHOULD THE NEED ARISE.
MR LEUNG SAID THAT ONE OF THE REASONS FOR PUBLIC OVER THE PEAK CONGESTION FARE WAS A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING.
DISCONTENT
/THE MTRC