XN000022-1992-12-11 — Page 3

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1992

GOVERNOR MEETS TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND DISABLED

THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (FRIDAY) HAD SOME USEFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DISABLED AND TRANSPORT OPERATORS ON HOW PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES COULD BETTER SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE DISABLED.

THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP MEETING TO MR PATTEN'S PUBLIC SESSION ON OCTOBER 9 AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL DURING WHICH THE SUBJECT WAS RAISED BY SOME DISABLED PERSONS.

THE MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG; THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, WONG AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR RAFAEL HUI.

MRS ELIZABETH

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DISABLED WERE TOLD THAT SPECIAL TRANSPORT FACILITIES SUCH AS THE REHABUS AND CENTRE-BASED TRANSPORT WERE AVAILABLE то DISABLED PERSONS OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM.

A

THE REHABUS SERVICE WOULD BE EXPANDED BY FOUR ADDITIONAL ROUTES YEAR OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ROUTES TO 50 BY 1997.

A NUMBER OF CONCESSIONS ARE ALSO PROVIDED FOR DISABLED DRIVERS INCLUDING EXEMPTION FROM PAYMENT OF A LEARNER'S DRIVING LICENCE FEE, A FULL DRIVING LICENCE FRE, FIRST REGISTRATION TAX AND DUTY ON HYDROCARBON OIL..

ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT, THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY

HANDRAILS, RAMPS, LIFTS AND TOILETS FOR THE HANDICAPPED.

PROVIDED

OTHER FACILITIES INCLUDED PUSH BUTTONS INSTALLED AT STATION BARRIER GATES TO ALLOW THE DISABLED TO CALL FOR HELP AND AN AUDIO SYSTEM TO WARN ON THE OPENING AND CLOSING OF TRAIN DOORS, SPACES FOR WHEELCHAIRS ON THE TRAIN AND A DISABLED TRAVELLERS' SCHEME.

THE CITYRUS HAD A NUMBER OF BUSES DESIGNED WITH A WIDER GANGWAY, HORIZONTAL HANDRAILS AND SPECIAL "STOP" PROVIDE EASIER ACCESS FOR THOSE WITH WALKING DIFFICULTIES.

KMB IS IN THE PROCESS OF FITTING OUT A NUMBER OF WILL ENABLE THE HANDICAPPED TO GET IN WITH GREATER EASE.

LOW FLOOR, BUTTONS TO

BUSES WHICH

NEW PIERS ARE PROVIDED WITH TOILETS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THE DISABLED AND CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO PROVIDING SIMILAR TOILET FACILITIES ON FERRIES OPERATING ON LONG-DISTANCE ROUTES.

THE GOVERNOR SAW A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW THE DISABLED GOT ON ΤΟ A REHABUS AND TWO FRANCHISED BUSES WITH SPECIAL FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED SUCH AS NON-SLIPPERY FLOOR, BRIGHT COLOUR AND SOFT-TEXTURE HAND RAILINGS, SIGNAGES FOR THE DEAF AND AN AUDIBLE SYSTEM FOR THE BLIND.

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