XN000022-1981-01-07 — Page 12

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1981

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THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING, SO FAR AS IT LIES WITHIN ITS POWER, THAT THE COMMUNITY IS PROVIDED WITH AN EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE BUS SERVICE. IN HONG KONG BUSES PROVIDE ONE OF THE CHEAPEST FORMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND THEY COMPARE FAVOURABLY WITH THE COST OF SIMILAR SERVICES ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION. THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE WRONG TO TAKE ANY COURSE OF ACTION WHICH MIGHT RESULT IN A REDUCTION IN THE STANDARD OF SERVICE.

BEFORE THE FARE INCREASES GRANTED TO THE TWO MAIN FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES ON 3RD FEBRUARY 1980 CONSIDERABLE DISSATISFACTION WAS BEING EXPRESSED BY THE PUBLIC WITH THE STANDARD OF SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE COMPANIES, THE GOVERNMENT THEREFORE NEGOTIATED WITH THE COMPANIES A PROGRAMME OF IMPROVEMENTS. THESE WERE

INCORPORATED IN FORMAL AGREEMENTS WHICH WERE SIGNED AT ABOUT THE TIME OF THE FARE INCREASES.

THE AGREEMENTS COVER FIVE MAIN AREAS WHICH ENCOMPASS ALL ASPECTS OF BUS SERVICES IN HONG KONG CONDITIONS. SPECIFICALLY THEY PROVIDE FOR 1-

FIRST

SECONDLY

THIRDLY

PLANS FOR THE PURCHASE OF NEW BUSES AND SPARE PARTS RELATED TO ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES TO BE AGREED WITH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND UPDATED ANNUALLY.

IMPROVED FACILITIES FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING OF BUSES.

BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS AND WAGES FOR DRIVERS, MECHANICS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES AND THE RECRUITMENT OF MORE STAFF TO MAN AND MAINTAIN THE NEW BUSES.

FOURTHLY THE PROVISION OF MORE DEPOT FACILITIES

FOR THE PARKING, SERVICING AND REPAIR ING OF BUSES.

FINALLY TO REVIEW AND INTRODUCE IMPROVEMENTS IN

THE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES OF THE COMPANIES.

THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE DESIGNED TO ENSURE, NOT ONLY THAT ADEQUATE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE EXPANSION OF SERVICES ARE DRAWN UP, BUT THAT THEY ARE ALSO CONSTANTLY MONITORED AND REVIEWED AGAINST AGREED YARDSTICKS, SO THAT ENOUGH WELL-MAINTAINED BUSES ARE PUT INTO SERVICE TO IMPROVE FREQUENCIES AND TO INTRODUCE NEW ROUTES TO MEET ADDITIONAL DEMAND AS REQUIRED. BY THE IR VERY NATURE, HOWEVER, THE ARRANGEMENTS CAN ONLY BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, AS IT TAKES TIME TO ORDER AND ACCEPT DELIVERY OF NEW BUSES, TO BUILD ADDITIONAL DEPOT AND OTHER FACILITIES, TO RECRUIT AND TRAIN NEW STAFF AND TO

IMPROVE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES.

/SINCE FEBRUARY