XN000022-1990-03-07 — Page 8

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1990

THE MAIN FACTORS WHICH ACCOUNT FOR KMB'S FARE APPLICATION ARE RISES IN OPERATING COSTS DUE TO INFLATION AND IMPROVEMENTS REQUESTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARDS.

GROWTH

TO MEET RISING DEMAND FROM AREAS OF POPULATION NEW TERRITORIES AND TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE STANDARD OF BUS IN OTHER AREAS, KMB HAS MADE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN 1990 AND 1991.

INCREASE SERVICE

IN THE SERVICES SERVICE

THESE INCLUDE THE INTRODUCTION OF NO LESS THAN 20 NEW ROUTES

NEEDS CATERING FOR THE

OF NEW HOUSING AREAS; SOME

OF 75 CASES FREQUENCY

ΤΟ IMPROVEMENTS TO REDUCE WAITING TIME; CONVERSION HIGHER-CAPACITY BUSES ON ABOUT 15 ROUTES; AND USE

AIR-CONDITIONED DOUBLE-DECKERS ON SELECTED ROUTES TO ENHANCE PASSENGER COMFORT.

PLANNED

SERVICE

TO DELIVER THE ADDITIONAL 285 BUSES IN 1990 AND 1991.

A

OF

IMPROVEMENTS, KMB NEEDS AN

INFLATION

WHICH IS SERVICE HAVE

AND OPERATING RECEIPTS

FOR CMB, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PENSION LIABILITY

CHARGE LEGITIMATE

TO OPERATING COSTS; IMPROVEMENTS; AND LOWER THAN EXPECTED CONTRIBUTED TO THE FARE INCREASE APPLICATION.

IN

TO IMPROVE ITS SERVICES, CMB PLANS TO PURCHASE 90 NEW BUSES

ARE 1990 AND 1991. MOST OF THEM

THREE-AXLE BUSES OFFERING GREATER EFFICIENCY. PRODUCTIVITY AND COST

THEY ALSO INCLUDE A NUMBER OF OF AIR-CONDITIONED DOUBLE DECKERS FOR MEETING DEMAND AT THE UPPER END THE MARKET.

THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY AWARE OF THE BUS FARES BEING KEPT STABLE.

PUBLIC'S WISHES TO

SEE

THE APPROVED INCREASE OF ABOUT 15 PER CENT FOR KMB SERVICES HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE COMPANY.

RESPONDING

POSITIVELY ΤΟ

TAC'S SUGGESTIONS, KMB HAS ALSO CLOSELY AGREED TO WORK

WITH TUR TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ON VARIOUS

NON-FAREBOX MEASURES WHICH WOULD HELP REDUCE COSTS OR RAISK

REVENUE, ADDITIONAL TAURERY FURTHER IMPROVING KMB'S SERVICES WITHOUT ACQUIRING ASSETS. THESE MEASURES INCLUDE:

*

A MORE VIGOROUS ATTEMPT TO RATIONALISE LOSS-INCURRING ROUTES AND A CRITICAL RE-EXAMINATION OF THE NEED FOR EXISTING SERVICES IN AREAS OF FALLING DEMAND;

TRANSPORT

A CONSULTANCY COMMISSIONED BY THE STUDY THE EFFICIENCY OF KMB'S BUS NETWORK IN NORTH EAST

THIS TERRITORIES.

IS ΤΟ ENABLE KMB ΤΟ IMPROVE EFFICIENCY BY MAKING FULLER USE OF ITS EXISTING FLEET;

DEPARTMENT

ΤΟ

NEW

ITS

A CRITICAL RE-EXAMINATION OF KMB'S DEPOT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME;

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