XN000022-1973-07-18 — Page 15

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Wednesday, July 18, 1973

MORE FERRIES AND FACILITIES TO SOLVE OVERCROWDING

Improved pier facilities and an enlarged fleet will help towards

solving the problem of overcrowding and congestion in the passenger waiting

areas at the Hong Kong and Yaumati ferry piers.

The acting Director of Public Works, the Hon. A.S. Robertson, in reply

to the Hon. James Wu on steps to relieve overcrowding, said in the Legislative

Council today that overcrowding usually occurs during peak hours at piers

operating several services.

The ferry company is planning to construct another storey over the

existing ground floor waiting rooms at the Jubilee Street, Jordan Road and

outlying district ferry piers, Mr. Robertson said,

New or additional piers will be built in North Point, Kwun Tong,

Hung Hom, Sham Shui Po, Shau Kei Wan and Sam Ka Tsuen. The Cheung Chau pier

is also to be enlarged.

In another effort, he said, the company had recently introduced direct

sailings and one-class vessels on outlying services during holidays, allowing

a higher frequency of services and reducing passenger waiting time.

Plans are also in hand to introduce more vessels for both commuter

and recreational services within the next 12 months.

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