XN000022-1988-12-14 — Page 13

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1988

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MISS TAM ADDED THAT OTHER MATTERS THAT AROSE DURING THE GROUP'S DISCUSSIONS INCLUDED THE PROVISIONS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATE MEMBERS IN THE EVENT THAT ONE OF THE THREE APPOINTED MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY PANEL WAS UNABLE

ΤΟ ATTEND PANEL MEETINGS;

THE APPOINTMENTS FROM AMONGST MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY,

BAR OR THE SOLICITORS' PROFESSION; AND THE SPECIFICATION THAT THE INTENTION WAS FOR ALL PETITIONS TO BE IN WRITTEN FORM.

SHE SAID THAT SUITABLE AMENDMENTS TO COVER ALL THESE MOVED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

WOULD BE

ADDITIONAL POWERS FOR BUS COMPANY STAFF

*

*

THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1988 GIVES AUTHORISED BUS COMPANY STAFF ADDITIONAL POWERS ΤΟ ENFORCE REGULATIONS AND BY-LAWS GOVERNING PASSENGER CONDUCT IN ORDER THAT THERE COULD BE PROPER CONTROL OVER MISBEHAVIOUR OCCURRING ON BUSES.

THE HON MARIA TAM SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE (WEDNESDAY) WHEN SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.

COUNCIL TODAY

MISS TAM SAID THE POWERS PROPOSED INCLUDED THE POWER TO REQUIRE A SUSPECT TO PROVIDE PROOF OF IDENTITY AND PASSENGERS TO COMPLY WITH REASONABLE DIRECTIONS GIVEN BY THE AUTHORISED COMPANY STAFF.

SHE SAID A LEGCO AD HOC GROUP HAD BEEN FORMED TO LOOK INTO THE JUSTIFICATION OF THE BILL AND WHETHER THE PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF IT WOULD CREATE MORE PROBLEMS THAN IT COULD SOLVE.

ONE OF THE TWO MAJOR ISSUES INVOLVED WAS THE DRIVERS' POWER ARREST AND DETENTION.

OF

ON THIS, THE AD HOC GROUP HAD MET TWICE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND HAD EXAMINED THE OTHER RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE "POWER OF ARREST OR DETENTION", AND THE CHECKING OF DOCUMENTS OF IDENTIFICATION BY THE EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES.

ACCORDING TO MISS TAM, RECORDS OF THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES YEARS HAD SHOWN THAT THERE WERE ABOUT 800 OCCASIONS IN THE PAST THREE WHEN POLICE ASSISTANCE HAD TO BE ENLISTED IN DEALING

HAD MISBEHAVIOUR ON BUSES, AND AT TIMES IT

BEEN NECESSARY FOR DRIVER TO RESTRAIN THE TROUBLE-MAKERS BEFORE THE POLICE ARRIVED.

WITH

THE

/SHE SAID