XN000022-1977-05-04 — Page 15

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1977.

KWUN TONG CENTRAL HOVERFERRY SERVICE

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THE HOVERFERRY SERVICE BETWEEN KWUN TONG AND CENTRAL, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED ON APRIL 18, FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF THREE MONTHS, OFFERS A MUCH IMPROVED SERVICE.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. DEREK JONES IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY REV. THE HON. JOYCE BENNETT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE HOVERFERRY SERVICE ON THIS ROUTE, HE SAID, REDUCED THE JOURNEY TIME FROM 36 MINUTES TO 15.

MR. JONES SAID THAT PASSENGER DEMAND FOR THE KWUN TONG CENTRAL FERRY SERVICE WAS AT A PEAK BEFORE 9.30 A.M. AND AFTER 5 P.M.

+DURING THE OFF-PEAK PERIODS FEWER THAN 200 PASSENGERS WERE BEING CARRIED EACH HOUR AND THIS REPRESENTED A VERY UNECONOMIC USE OF LARGE FERRY VESSELS,+ HE SAID.

MR. JONES SAID THAT SHOULD THE PUBLIC REACTION TO THE CHANGE BE UNFAVOURABLE, THE HOVERFERRY SERVICE WOULD NOT BE MADE PERMANENT.

THE SECRETARY AGREED THAT THE HOVERFERRY FARE WAS HIGHER.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, IT SHOULD BE BORNE IN MIND THAT THE KWUN TONG NORTH POINT FERRY CONTINUES TO RUN AS BEFORE AND THAT, TOGETHER WITH CONNECTING PUBLIC TRANSPORT, IT OFFERS AN ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO CENTRAL AND TO OTHER PARTS OF HONG KONG ISLAND.+

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