XN000022-1983-12-21 — Page 19

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1983

FERRY SERVICE NEED CAREFULLY STUDIED

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WITHDRAWAL OF A SCHEDULED FERRY SERVICE IS NOT CONSIDERED UNLESS IT IS LOSING MONEY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON ALAN SCOTT TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHARLES YEUNG, MR SCOTT SAID THE DESIRABILITY OF PROVIDING TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR WHAT ARE USUALLY SMALL OUTLYING COMMUNITIES HAS TO BE WEIGHED CAREFULLY AGAINST THE NEED TO ENSURE SENSIBLE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATIONS.

WHEN THE WITHDRAWAL OF SUCH A SERVICE IS SUGGESTED, HE SAID, A SURVEY IS CONDUCTED TO ESTABLISH THE TRAVEL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PASSENGERS USING IT.

THIS SURVEY INCLUDES DETERMINING THE PASSENGERS' POINTS OF ORIGIN AND DESTINATION, THE PURPOSE OF THEIR TRIPS AND THE FREQUENCY OF TRAVEL. ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT SERVICES ARE ALSO EXAMINED TO ESTABLISH THEIR USE AND ADEQUACY.

+IF, AFTER THIS PROCESS, THERE APPEARS TO BE A REASONABLE CASE FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE SERVICE, THE PROPOSAL IS SUBMITTED TO THE APPROPRIATE DISTRICT BOARD FOR DISCUSSION,+ MR SCOTT SAID.

+AFTER THIS CONSULTATION, THE PROPOSAL IS PUT TO THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. IF TAC IS SATISFIED. THE PROPOSAL IS THEN SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL FOR A DECISION,

+THE SITUATION AFTER THE WITHDRAWAL OF A SERVICE IS MONITORED CLOSELY TO ENSURE THAT THE ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT SERVICES ARE ADEQUATE, OR IMPROVED, TO REDUCE THE INCONVENIENCE TO THE TRAVELLERS CONCERNED, HE SAID.

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