SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 190y
"THE REHABUS IS A SPECIAL MINIBUS SERVICE OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION, WITH SUBVENTION FROM THE GOVERNMENT AND OVERALL ASSISTANCE ON PLANNING AND OPERATIONAL ASPECTS TENDERED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
"IN 1989-90, A TOTAL OF $2.9 MILLION HAS BEEN VOTED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS REHABUS SUBVENTION GRANTS.
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MR SO NOTED THAT TWO KINDS OF BUS SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ΤΟ MEET DIFFERENT DEMANDS: THE SCHEDULED SERVICES AND DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICES.
THE SCHEDULED SERVICES OPERATE ON FIXED ROUTES DURING THE PEAK PERIODS, AND ARE USED BY DISABLED PEOPLE TO ATTEND EMPLOYMENT, TRAINING AND EDUCATION.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 26 REHABUS ROUTES SERVING VARIOUS PARTS OF HONG KONG, KOWLOON, SHA TIN, AND TSUEN WAN. TOGETHER THEY CARRY ABOUT 300 PASSENGERS PER DAY.
"IT IS OUR POLICY TO ENCOURAGE THE GRADUAL EXPANSION OF SCHEDULED REHABUS SERVICES TO THE NEW TOWNS.
"IN THE COMING YEAR, FOUR NEW ROUTES WILL BE INTRODUCED то PROVIDE SERVICES TO TAI PO, YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN AND JUNK BAY," MR SO SAID.
ON DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICES, MR SO SAID THAT THEY ARE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST BY DISABLED PEOPLE TO ATTEND SOCIAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS.
UP TO THE PRESENT, THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED ONLY DURING THE OFF-PEAK PERIODS USING VEHICLES WHICH ARE RELEASED FROM THE SCHEDULED ROUTES.
THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION WILL NOW EXTEND THE DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICES TO WHOLE DAY OPERATION.
"TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE REHABUS SERVICE, WE HAVE RECENTLY ENGAGED CONSULTANTS TO STUDY THE SERVICE'S FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
"THE CONSULTANTS HAVE BEEN ASKED, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, PRODUCE A ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR REHABUS SERVICES IN COMING FIVE YEARS, AND TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF USING COMPUTERS FACILITATE BOOKING AND SCHEDULING OF REHARUS SERVICES.
"THE STUDY WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR.
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MR SO ALSO OUTLINED OTHER MEASURES WHICH WERE IMPLEMENTED IN RECENT YEARS TO FACILITATE THE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT BY THE DISABLED. THESE INCLUDED THE INSTALLATION OF LIFTS AND RAMPS AT RAILWAY STATIONS; THE PROVISION OF NON-SLIP FLOORS ON BUSES AND RAMPS, AND FARF CONCESSIONS ON SOME FERRY AND GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES.
FERRY
/AS REGARDS