XN000022-1979-08-01 — Page 18

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1979

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MTR BY-LAWS APPROVED

****

THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY BY-LAWS 1979 PRESCRIBING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE USE OF THE MTR SERVICES.

MOVING THE BY-LAWS AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON, GRAHAM BARNES SAID THE BY-LAWS ARE ALSO AIMED AT CONTROLLING AND REGULATING THE CONDUCT OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON RAILWAY PREMISES, INCLUDING SUCH MATTERS AS FARES AND ADVERTISING, AS WELL AS PROTECTING THE PROPERTY OF THE CORPORATION ON RAILWAY PREMISES.

THE BY-LAWS ALSO1

* PROHIBIT TRESPASS AND DAMAGE TO RAILWAY PREMISES, PERSONS

THROWING OBJECTS ON RAILWAY PREMISES AND THE IMPROPER

USE OF EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT-

* CONCERN SUCH MATTERS AS FARES, TICKETS, EXCESS FARES AND

CONDITIONS OF TRAVEL-

* REGULATE THE CONDUCT OF PASSENGERS WHILE ON RAILWAY

PREMISES AND PROHIBIT SMOKING, SPITTING AND THE PLAYING OF RADIOS-

*

*

*

PROHIBIT SOLICITING FOR HANDLING LUGGAGE, HAWKING, LOITERING AND ILLEGAL BILL POSTING-

CONCERN THE REMOVAL, DETENTION AND SALE OF VEHICLES PARKED ILLEGALLY ON RAILWAY PREMISES AND REGULATE THE DRIVING OF VEHICLES ON THESE PREMISES-

PROHIBIT THE CARRIAGE OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION BY ANY PERSON, OTHER THAN A MEMBER OF HER MAJESTY'S FORCES OR A POLICE OFFICER ON DUTY, AND THE UNAUTHORISED POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS GOODS-

* LAY DOWN PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH LOST PROPERTY, AND

* EMPOWER THE CORPORATION'S OFFICIALS TO REMOVE AND DETAIN

OFFENDERS AGAINST THE BY-LAWS BEFORE HANDING THEM OVER TO THE POLICE.

MR. BARNES SAID PENALTIES FOR CONTRAVENING THESE BY-LAWS RANGE FROM FINES OF A MINIMUM OF $100 IN THE CASE OF VEHICLE DRIVERS NOT COMPLYING WITH SIGNS TO A MAXIMUM OF $5,000 FOR THE UNAUTHORISED POSSESSION OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.

FINALLY, MR. BARNES POINTED OUT THAT THESE PROVISIONS ARE STANDARD AND NECESSARY AND DO NOT EXCLUDE PROSECUTION UNDER OTHER LEGISLATION, WHERE APPROPRIATE.

+THEY MUST BE IN FORCE FOR THE OPENING OF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM IN OCTOBER, HE SAID.

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