19.
Modification of HYF services frequency
Following is a question by the Hon Leung Yiu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport, Mr Haider Barma, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
When this Council considered the application for fare increase of the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company, Limited (HYF) in January this year, HYF indicated that if the application was not approved, HYF would reduce the frequency of some of its ferry routes. The application was eventually approved by this Council. However, it has been reported recently that HYF is planning to reduce by half the frequency of its three inner harbour ferry routes. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
Reply:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Mr President,
(a)
whether it is aware of HYF's plan to reduce the frequency of these routes when submitting HYF's application for fare increase to this Council for consideration;
whether HYF's move to reduce the frequency of these routes constitutes a breach of the agreement reached with the Government when HYF was granted the franchise;
whether it will consult this Council when considering if HYF's application for a reduction in the frequency of these routes should be approved; if not, why not; and whether it will take appropriate measures to safeguard the interests of the public in the event of a reduction of the frequency of these routes; and
how it will ensure that similar situations will not recur in the future?
As part of the company's ongoing programme to adjust services in response to changes in passenger demand and to optimise the use of resources, Hongkong & Yaumati Ferry Company Limited (HYF) submitted the following proposals to the Administration in October 1995: