XN000022-1980-01-29 — Page 2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1980

NEW BUS FARES ANNOUNCED

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BUS FARES WILL BE RAISED FROM SUNDAY (FEBRUARY 3).

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY) A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE INCREASES WERE NECESSARY TO COMPENSATE FOR INCREASED OPERATIONAL COSTS OVER THE YEARS, AND TO ENSURE BETTER AND MORE STREAMLINED SERVICES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HARBOUR.

URBAN KOWLOON FARES, PRESENTLY RANGING FROM 20 CENTS TO 50 CENTS, WILL BE RAISED TO 30 CENTS TO ONE DOLLAR. CMB'S URBAN FARES WILL BE EITHER 50 CENTS OR 70 CENTS, COMPARED WITH THE EXISTING 30 CENTS, 40 CENTS AND 50 CENTS.

CROSS HARBOUR FARES FOR BOTH COMPANIES WHICH ARE NOW $1 WILL BE $1.50.

+NEITHER KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY NOR CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY HAVE HAD FARE INCREASES FOR MANY YEARS, BUT DURING THIS PERIOD OPERATIONAL COSTS NOT THE LEAST IMPORTANT BEING FUEL PRICES - HAVE RISEN SHARPLY,+ SAID THE SPOKESMAN,

HE ALSO STRESSED THAT AS GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF BUS SERVICES THE FARE INCREASES WERE ESSENTIAL.

GOVERNMENT AND BOTH KMB AND CMB HAVE FORMALLY AGREED ON FIVE POINTS THAT WILL ENSURE IMPROVEMENT IN SERVICES IN THE URBAN, SUBURBAN AND RURAL AREAS OF THE TERRITORY.

THEY ARE *

* A FLEET DEVELOPMENT RENEWAL AND REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME

WHICH WILL INCLUDE THE PURCHASE OF NEW AND SCRAPPING OF OLD BUSES, ACQUISITION OF SPARE PARTS AND PROVISION FOR AN ANNUAL REVIEW EVERY APRIL-

* THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE CLEANING, MAINTENANCE AND

SERVICING FACILITIES FOR BUSES-

*

THE PROVISION OF ADEQUATE DEPOTS, INCORPORATING PROPER MAINTENANCE FACILITIES-

* THE IMPROVEMENT OF WORKING CONDITIONS TO INCREASE THE

WORK-FORCE, PARTICULARLY DRIVERS AND MAINTENANCE WORKERS- AND

* IMPROVEMENTS IN MANAGEMENT.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT KMB HAD NOT HAD FARE INCREASES SINCE 1973 IN THE RURAL AREAS, SINCE 1972 FOR CROSS HARBOUR SERVICES AND SINCE 1971 FÖR URBAN ROUTES.

CMB'S CROSS HARBOUR SERVICE FARES HAD NOT CHANGED SINCE 1972 AND ALL OTHER SERVICES HAD REMAINED UNCHANGED SINCE 1976.

THE GOVERNMENT