XN000022-1982-06-29 — Page 8

MURSDAY, JUNE 20,

T.A.C. DISCUSSED FARE RISE AT MEETING

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THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TODAY DISCUSSED A REPORT ON THE OPERATIONS OF KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY AND MEMBERS JAVE THE IR VIEWS ON PROPOSALS ARISING FROM ITS FINDINGS.

THE COMMITTEE ALSO CONSIDERED PROPOSALS BY THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY AND MAXICAB OPERATORS TO RAISE THE IR FARES, AND REVIEWED VARIOUS ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO CARRY JUT ITS PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE TAC'S ADVICE WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WHICH WILL FURTHER CONSIDER THE ISSUES.

THE KMB REPORT WAS COMPILED BY A CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE SET UP ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE TAC TO STUDY WAYS TO MAXIMISE THE EFFICIENCY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TWO BUS COMPANIES. THE REPORT ON THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY IS NEARING COMPLETION AND WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE LATER.

THE APPLICATION BY HYF TO INTRODUCE HIGHER FARES WAS BASED ON INCREASED COSTS DUE TO INFLATION AND REDUCTIONS IN PATRONAGE ON CERTAIN ROUTES. THE APPLICATION BY MAXICAB OPERATORS WAS BASED ON HIGHER OPERATING COSTS SINCE THE LAST FARES INCREASE TWO YEARS AGO IN SUCH ITEMS AS FUEL, MAINTENANCE AND WAGES. THE DIFFICULT FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE OPERATORS WAS EXAMINED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN A STUDY ON THE VIABILITY OF THE TRADE.

AFTER CONSIDERING THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE HYF APPLICATION, THE TAC SUPPORTED IN PRINCIPLE A FARES INCREASE BY THE COMPANY BUT WANTED THE DETAILED PROPOSALS TO BE FURTHER EXAMINED.

ON MAXICAB FARES, THE COMMITTEE AGREED THAT THEIR CEILING MAY BE RAISED BUT NOTED THAT OPERATORS MAY CHARGE LOWER FARES THAN ALLOWED TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER TRANSPORT MODES. THE COMMITTEE ALSO WANTED FUTURE FRANCHISES TO REQUIRE OPERATORS TO SUBMIT ANNUAL ACCOUNTS SO THAT THE TRADE CAN BE BETTER MONITORED.

LADY YOUDE OPENS POLYDESIGN SHOW

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THE STAFF AND STUDENTS OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC WERE COMMENDED BY LADY YOUDE FOR THE HIGH QUALITY OF THIS YEAR'S POLYDES IGN SHOW WHICH SHE OFFICIALLY OPENED AT THE INSTITUTE TODAY (TUESDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, LADY YOUDE NOTED THAT THE POLYTECHNIC'S SCHOOL OF DESIGN HAD GROWN CONSIDERABLY SINCE 1967 AND WAS GAINING INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION IN ITS PROFESSIONAL FIELD.

+ITS SUCCESS HAD BEEN GREATLY ASSISTED BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE IN HONG KONG, SHE SAID.

+THE STEADILY IMPROVING STANDARD OF THESE SHOWS IS A TRIBUTE TO THE DEDICATION AND HARD WORK OF THE STAFF AND STUDENTS OF THE SCHOOL, AND I CONGRATULATE THEM ON THE OUTSTANDING QUALITY OF THIS YEAR'S EXHIBITS, SHE ADDED,