XN000022-1972-06-07 — Page 24

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Wednesday, June 7, 1972

ABOLITION OF SECOND CLASS FARE ON TRAMS

Described As Reasonable And Modest

The Hon. Szeto Wai today described as "reasonable and modest"

the proposal to abolish the Tramways Company's second-class fare structure

and to introduce a flat fare of 20 cents.

He was speaking in the Legislative Council in support of a

motion that no royalty shall be paid by Hong Kong Tramways Limited for

the calendar year commencing on January 1, 1972.

Mr. Szeto said the fare proposal should not cause any hardship

because for years the lower deck tram fare must have been "one of the

cheapest in the world if not the world's cheapest."

He said to remove class distinction was "sensible not only

for simplicity of fare structure but also for sociological reasons."

To maintain class distinction, he said, must be considered

"anachronistic" in the context of today's social attitude.

Mr. Szeto, referring to royalty paid by the Tramways Company,

said it was incompatible in these days of rising operating costs with

fares remaining unchanged for more than twenty years.

He described as "anachronistic" statutory concessions to

members of the armed forces and Government uniformed personnel.

Mr. Szeto .****