XN000022-1980-12-31 — Page 3

OV

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1980

STAR FERRY TIME-TABLE ADJUSTED

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THE FREQUENCY OF THE STAR FERRY'S EDINBURGH PLACE TO TSIM SHA TSUI SERVICE WILL BE REDUCED IN THE EARLY MORNING AND LATE AT NIGHT.

FROM SUNDAY (JANUARY 4), FERRIES WILL RUN AT 20 MINUTE INTERVALS FROM 6 AM TO 6.30 AM, AND FROM 11.45 PM TO 2 AM. PREVIOUSLY THEY OPERATE AT 10 AND 12 MINUTE INTERVALS RESPECTIVELY DURING THE EARLY AND LATE PERIODS.

THE STARTING AND CLOSING TIMES OF THE SERVICE AT 6 AM AND 2 AM WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT PATRONAGE OF THE FERRY SERVICE DURING THESE PERIODS HAD DROPPED CONSIDERABLY FOLLOWING THE OPENING OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.

THE REDUCTION IN FREQUENCY OF SERVICE IS TO ECONOMIZE ON RISING OPERATION AND FUEL COSTS, HE SAID.

SHELTER FOR THOSE IN NEED OF WARMTH ****

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY IT HAD MADE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO OPEN A NUMBER OF ITS COMMUNITY CENTRES AS TEMPORARY SHELTERS AND TO DISTRIBUTE BLANKETS DURING COLD SPELLS. ·

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THESE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD COME INTO OPERATION IN THE EVENT OF THE TEMPERATURE DROPPING TO 10 DEGREES CELSIUS OR BELOW.

OVERNIGHT SHELTER AND BLANKETS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR STREET SLEEPERS AND OTHER PEOPLE TO KEEP THEMSELVES WARM IN COLD WEATHER.

UNDER THESE ARRANGEMENTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, NINE COMMUNITY CENTRES OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL OPEN TO LET PEOPLE STAY.

AT THE SAME TIME, BLANKETS AND SLEEPING BAGS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT ALL THESE CENTRES AND AT FIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S FIELD OFFICES.

+WHEN A COLD SPELL STRIKES, PEOPLE IN NEED ARE WELCOME TO MAKE USE OF THESE FACILITIES, AND STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO GO OUT TO DISTRIBUTE BLANKETS, HE SAID.

/THE NINE