XN000022-1973-12-07 — Page 7

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Friday, December 7, 1973

AIM OF RESITING PLB STANDS IN CENTRAL CLARIFIED

Govt Not Trying To Squeeze Mini-Buses Out Of Business Says Mr. Wilson

The Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Brian Wilson, today reiterated

that the new traffic management scheme for public light buses is aimed

at improving traffic flow in Central District.

He described allegations that the government is trying to put

PLB's in Central out of business as totally unfounded.

"What the government is trying to do," he explained, "is to

shift PLB loading points to the outskirts of Central where there are less

congested aocess routes.'

The Commissioner said that this would neither reduce the volume

of PLB business nor cause problems for passengers, because the new loading

points were not too far away and offered adequate spac›

Mr. Wilson further pointed out that by shifting the loading points,

the government had to set aside valuable land in Central for new PLB

termini.

The provision of more suitable loading points, he said, would

not only improve traffic flow in Central area but also enable passengers

to board the PLB's in safety.

"It is because of these that the government has decided to go

ahead with the scheme 11 Mr. Wilson said.

The first stage of the scheme to be introduced on Sunday (December

9) will prohibit public light buses from entering Gilman Street (between

Connaught Road Central and Des Voeux Road Central) and the section of Wing

Wo Street, between Connaught Road Central and Des Voeux Road Central.

/At the