CO129-519-6 Development of railways proposed by Chinese Government 7-9-1929 - 17-1-1930 — Page 43

3

43

staff.

$75,000 each is a high figure compared with the

cost of the original cars which averaged $17,000 each.

The maximum number of through express passengers

carried in one day of late years, was on Ching Ming

Festival this year when 5,100 passengers were carried in

six express trains. The two relief trains being provided

by the British Section which clearly shows that the Chinese

Section should acquire more 3rd class stock before 1st class.

No reference is made to any additional attractions

for goods traffic, which is very poor.

7. Page 6 (b). Time. The railway journey averaging

4 hours is already quicker than the fastest boat journeys

by about an hour.

The substitution of fancy names for 1st, 2nd and

3rd classes needs no comment.

8. Page 7 - (c).

low. They have on provious occasions been reduced to

compete with the boat fares, but always with the result

that the boat fares have been further lowered. Rail fares

cannot compete with waterborne fares, until we get our

fair share of freight, the revenue from which the boats

principally rely on.

The present fares are already very

9. Page 7 (d). Paggage Facilities. Very desirable

certainly, but this is the first time I have found the

suggestion to separate the local native from his luggage,

soriously put forward by a Chinese. We have tried but

failed, and in view of the Customs and Police examination

thereare many difficulties to be overcome.

10. Page 8 - (e). Even supposing the total of 5,000

passengers were carried by train, the average through fare

is below H.K. $1.00 (actually 97.8 cents for 1928), and

only 65% of this would go to the Chinese Section on account

of Through express traffic. I should not imagine the