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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
(A) REDUCTION OF CMB'S CURRENT NETWORK BY 26 ROUTES;
(B) DISCONTINUATION OF CMB'S PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME UPON ITS EXPIRY IN AUGUST 1993; AND
(C) THE INCLUSION
STRENGTHEN MONITORING.
OF ADDITIONAL FRANCHISE CONDITIONS TO
HEALTHY BEEN
IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT'S POLICY TO PROMOTE COMPETITION, THE 26 BUS ROUTES TAKEN AWAY FROM CMB HAVE RECENTtly AWARDED TO CITYBUS LIMITED THROUGH COMPETITIVE OPEN TENDER.
THE NEW FRANCHISE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS DESIGNED ΤΟ STRENGTHEN THE MONITORING OF CMB'S OPERATIONS, ΤΟ EASE TRANSITION AND TO CATER FOR THE FUTURE EXISTENCE OF TWO MAIN BUS OPERATORS ON HONG KONG ISLAND :
GROUPS то
(A) MANDATORY ESTABLISHMENT OF PASSENGER LIAISON INTERACT DIRECTLY WITH THE PUBLIC FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSESSING AND IMPROVING SERVICE STANDARDS;
(B) A DIRECT COMPUTER LINK GIVING GOVERNMENT INSTANT ACCESS TO UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO BUS OPERATIONS;
(C) THE APPOINTMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE то MANAGE PENSION FUNDS AS WELL AS A REQUIREMENT то OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL ACTUARIAL ADVICE ON THE LEVEL OF CONTINGENCY AND PENSION PROVISIONS;
(D) A CLAUSE REQUIRING CMB TO DISCLOSE ITS ASSETS AND то OBTAIN GOVERNMENT CONSENT BEFORE THE DISPOSAL OF ANY SUCH ASSETS;
(E) A PROVISION WHICH PLACES IT BEYOND DOUBT THAT, UPON THE EXPIRY OF THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME ON AUGUST 31, 1993, ANY SURPLUS IN THE DEVELOPMENT FUND SHOULD BE APPLIED TO OFFSET UPWARD PRESSURE ON FARES; AND
CMB
(F) A PROVISION WHICH EMPOWERS THE GOVERNMENT TO DIRECT TO SHARE THE USE OF BUS STOPS, TERMINI AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES WITH ANOTHER OPERATOR.
THE RETIREMENT OF ABOUT 200 OLD BUSES IN SEPTEMBER 1993 IS EXPECTED то REDUCE THE AVERAGE AGE OF CMB'S FLEET, WITH BENEFICIAL EFFECT ON EFFICIENCY AND SERVICE STANDARDS.
TO
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS DESIGNED STRENGTHEN THE PENALTY PROVISIONS IN THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE ARE UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION.
THESE AMENDMENTS WILL ALLOW THE FINANCIAL PENALTIES NOW PRESCRIBED IN THE ORDINANCE AGAINST UNSATISFACTORY SERVICE TO BE APPLIED ON A ROUTE-BY-ROUTE BASIS, THEREBY ENHANCING THEIR DETERRENCE.
THROUGH
THE AMENDMENTS WILL ALSO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE FINANCIAL PENALTIES, IF IMPOSED, COULD NOT BE PASSED ON TO PASSENGERS HIGHER FARES.
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