XN000022-1985-03-12 — Page 3

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1985

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FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET REGULARLY IN PUBLIC

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THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD ITS FIRST REGULAR MEETING IN PUBLIC TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING.

IT HAS JUST CONDUCTED FOUR SPECIAL MEETINGS TO EXAMINE IN PUBLIC THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE 1985-86.

KMB FRANCHISE EXTENDED

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THE FRANCHISE GRANTED TO THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY HAS BEEN EXTENDED FOR A FURTHER TWO YEARS TO AUGUST 31, 1991.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE, FRANCHISES FOR BUS COMPANIES ARE NORMALLY ONLY EXTENDED FOR UP TO TWO YEARS AT A TIME SO THAT THEIR PERFORMANCE CAN BE CLOSELY MONITORED.

A REPORT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF KMB SHOWS THAT THE COMPANY HAS COMPLIED SATISFACTORILY WITH THE AGREED ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES.

IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE COMPANY IN COMPLYING WITH THE SCHEDULES OF SERVICE, IN MAKING AVAILABLE TO THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC AN ADEQUATE FLEET OF BUSES, AND IN SETTING UP ADDITIONAL DEPOT FACILITIES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN KOWLOON AND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

THE COMPANY HAS ALSO STEPPED UP ITS TRAINING OF DRIVERS AT VARIOUS LEVELS AND HAS EXPANDED ITS ENQUIRY HOT-LINE AND OTHER INFORMATION SERVICES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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