XN000022-1977-03-31 — Page 24

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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1977

WALLA-MALLA FARE INCREASE

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THE PRIVATE HIRE CHARGES FOR WALLA-WALLAS WILL BE INCREASED WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).

THE INCREASES VARY FROM 25 PER CENT FOR BIG BOATS LICENSED TO CARRY MORE THAN 50 PASSENGERS TO 31 PER CENT FOR SMALL BOATS LICENSED TO CARRY UP TO 30 PASSENGERS.

THE HIRE PERIODS HAVE BEEN REVISED AND HAVE NOW BEEN SET AT PERIODS OF 20 MINUTES FROM 40 MINUTES UPWARDS.

THE FARE FOR THE LATE NIGHT WALLA-WALLA SERVICE BETWEEN KOWLOON PUBLIC PIER AND QUEEN'S PIER HAS ALSO BEEN INCREASED FROM $1 TO $1.53.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THAT THE NEW RATES WERE INTRODUCED FOLLOWING LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS WITH THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON MOTOR BOATS ASSOCIATION, AND A DETAILED EXAMINATION OF THE PROFITABILITY OF THE OPERATION OF WALLA-ALLAS,

THEY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HIGHER WAGES AND OPERATING COSTS AND THE DROP IN BUSINESS FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL.

THE LAST TIME THAT THE WALLA-WALLAS INCREASED THEIR FARES WAS JUST OVER THREE YEARS AGO.

THE NEW FARE SCALES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

PERIOD OF HIRE

1. ANY PERIOD

NOT EXCEED ING 40 MINUTES

BOATS LICENSED TO CARRY UP TO 30 PASSENGERS

BOATS LICENSED TO CARRY BETWEEN 30 AND 50 PASSENGERS

BOATS LICENSED TO CARRY MORE THAN 50 PASSENGERS

$13

$17

$20

2. ANY PERIOD

BETWEEN 40 MINUTES AND

ONE HOUR

$20

$26

330

3. EACH SUBSEQUENT

PERIOD OF 20

MINUTES OR

PART THEREOF

$7

38

510

(RATE PER MINUTE:

34 CENTS

42 CENTS

50 CENTS)

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