XN000022-1991-03-13 — Page 8

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1991

THE PREPARATION OF THIS FIVE-YEAR PLAN ENABLED THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TO INFLUENCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF SERVICES; AVOID UNNECESSARILY ABRUPT FARE INCREASES; AND MAKE SURE THAT SERVICES WERE ADJUSTED AND DEVELOPED ACCORDING TO ACTUAL AND FORECAST DEMAND WITHOUT UNDUE ASSET EXPANSION.

HE SAID THE CURRENT SYSTEM ALSO ALLOWED ACTIVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, THE ROUTE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES OF INDIVIDUAL OPERATORS WERE NOT FINALISED UNTIL THE RELEVANT DISTRICT BEEN CONSULTED AND THEIR VIEWS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.

BOARDS HAD

MONITOR THE SUCH

AS

ONCE A PROGRAMME WAS APPROVED, THE PUBLIC COULD DAILY PERFORMANCE OF AN OPERATOR AGAINST CERTAIN YARDSTICKS, SERVICE FREQUENCY AND OPERATING HOURS.

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ALSO MONITORED TRANSPORT SERVICES THROUGH FIELD SURVEYS; THE ANALYSIS OF ACCIDENT RECORDS, PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AND STATISTICAL RETURNS FROM THE OPERATORS.

OF

FURTHERMORE, TWO SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAT ON THE BOARDS FRANCHISED TRANSPORT COMPANIES. THEY PROVIDED AN EFFECTIVE LINK BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMPANIES FOR HANDLING MATTERS OF CONCERN TO THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC.

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ALSO MET THE OMELCO TRANSPORT PANEL REGULARLY TO DISCUSS VARIOUS TRANSPORT ISSUES.

FARE

ON FARE ADJUSTMENTS, MR LEUNG SAID THE AUTHORITY то APPROVE ADJUSTMENTS RESTED WITH THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL. FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS WERE SUBJECT TO CLOSE SCRUTINY BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND INDEPENDENT ADVICE BY THE TAC.

F

'ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT IS PRECLUDED BY THE COMPANIES AND SECURITIES ORDINANCES FROM MAKING PUBLIC COMMERCIALLY SENSITIVE INFORMATION IN THE FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS, THE NECESSARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED IN FULL BY THE COMPANIES TO ENABLE A DECISION TO BE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL,' HE SAID.

M

NO FARE INCREASES WOULD BE APPROVED UNLESS THE GOVERNMENT FULLY SATISFIED THAT THE ADJUSTMENTS SOUGHT WERE NECESSARY CONTINUING EXISTING SERVICES AND FOR MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO PASSENGER DEMAND.

WAS

FOR

MEET

THE FUEL

THE SECRETARY SAID: "FACTORS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT INCLUDE IMPACT OF INFLATION ON OPERATING COSTS, SUCH AS HIGHER WAGES AND PRICES; PATRONAGE PROJECTIONS HAVING REGARD TO COMPETITION FROM OTHER MODES AND CHANGES IN POPULATION DISTRIBUTION; INCREASES IN NON- RECURRENT EXPENSES SUCH AS PENSION BENEFITS; SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS REQUESTED BY THE DISTRICT BOARDS; THE NEED FOR AN EQUITABLE FARE STRUCTURE; AND PUBLIC AFFORDABILITY.

0

/7