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The recommended fare increase would mean that about half of NLB's passengers would pay 50 to 80 cents more per trip and a quarter of the passengers would pay only 10 to 40 cents more per trip. Passengers aged 65 or above will continue to enjoy half fare.
TAC noted that NLB last increased its fares by 10.5 per cent on September 13, 1993. Without a fare increase, NLB would suffer a loss in 1996 because of rising operating costs over the last two years.
The proposed increase of 10.4 per cent is well below the forecast inflation rate of 22 per cent between the last increase and February 1996, when the new fares are to take effect.
TAC was satisfied that NLB has been providing a proper and efficient service.
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71 pollution convictions in November
A total of 71 convictions were made in the courts last month (November) for breaching anti-pollution legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department.
Among them. 15 were convictions made under the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO), 17 under the Noise Control Ordinance (NCO), another 17 under the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO), 20 under the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) and two under the Ozone Layer Protection Ordinance (OLPO).
The fines ranged from $1,000 to $82,000. Willy Fine Ltd was fined $82,000 for failing to comply with the requirements of a noise abatement notice.
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