XN000022-1973-11-29 — Page 12

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Thursday, November 29, 1973

NEW MEASURES TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Restraints Likely On Private Cars And PLBS

A number of measures aimed at expanding the public transport

services in Hong Kong were put forward today by the Secretary for the

Environment, the Hon. J.J. Robson.

He told the Legislative Council that this expansion would almost

certainly have to be associated with restraints on the growth of private

transport; the phasing out of public light buses as a substitute for

double-decker buses and allocating to them their more proper role of

providing feeder services to the main routes; the proper use of taxis; and

the "suppression of pak pals",

Mr. Robson said traffic and transport probably created the greatest

problems of modern living.

"The effect of motor vehicles on both urban and rural life, and

the facilities which have to be provided to meet their insatiable demands,

is almost overwhelming.

'This situation must be brought under control."

He said it was not intended to prescribe routes and fares for

each of the public light bus routes, but instead, Hong Kong would be divided

into a number of zones with a standard fare for each. "The time and

circumstances under which higher fares may be charged will also be laid down

and enforced by the police."

/However,