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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994

BETTER PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR DISABLED

THE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB IN THE PAST YEAR IN MAKING THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEMS MUCH MORE ACCESSIBLE AND USER-FRIENDLY TO THE DISABLED PERSONS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING AT A MEETING ON THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS GLAD TO KNOW THAT TARGETS HE SUGGESTED AT THE LAST MEETING HAD BEEN MET WITH CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS.

HE CONGRATULATED

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT

FOR PRODUCING PUBLIC TRANSPORT GUIDE (IN ENGLISH, CHINESE AND BRAILLE) FOR THE DISABLED, WHICH SETS OUT THE TRANSPORT FACILITIES AVAILABLE то THE DISABLED, AND THE WAYS TO MAKE BEST USE OF THESE FACILITIES.

HE ALSO COMMENDED THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES FOR INTRODUCING MEASURES TO MAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE DISABLED.

"BUT WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BE COMPLACENT. THE DIFFICULTIES WHICH DISABLED PEOPLE FACE IN MOVING AROUND IN HONG KONG, AS IN OTHER BUSY CITIES, REMAIN FORMIDABLE, THE GOVERNOR SAID.

"E

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AM THEREFORE HEARTENED BY THE CONTINUING COMMITMENT OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE FURTHER THEIR SERVICES TO THE DISABLED.

"OUR COLLECTIVE AIM MUST BE TO ENSURE THAT OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM PROVIDES AS CONVENIENT AS POSSIBLE A SERVICE FOR ITS DISABLED PASSENGERS, AND FOR ITS PART THE ADMINISTRATION STANDS READY TO DO WHATEVER IT CAN TO HELP FACILITATE THIS," HE SAID.

ALSO SPEAKING AT THE MEETING, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, HAIDER BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO TAKEN A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES TO HELP DISABLED PEOPLE MOVE AROUND MORE EASTLY CHEAPLY.

MR

NEW

AND

UP

THESE INCLUDE A TRIAL SCHEME TO ALLOW TAXI DRIVERS TO PICK AND SET DOWN DISABLED PASSENGERS IN RESTRICTED AREAS, TOLL EXEMPTION FOR DISABLED DRIVERS USING GOVERNMENT TUNNELS AND THE EXTENSION OF THE CONCESSIONS TO DISABLED DRIVERS USING THREE-WHEEL VEHICLES AND SCOOTERS, SUCH AS EXEMPTION FROM FIRST REGISTRATION TAX, VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES, DUTY ON FUEL AND CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL PASSAGE TAX.

GOVERNMENT TO PUBLIC FORUM FOR

MR BARMA SAID A SPECIAL WORKING GROUP SET UP BY THE EARLY LAST YEAR TO PURSUE MEASURES TO IMPROVE ACCESS TRANSPORT BY DISABLED PERSONS WAS NOW PROVIDING A USEFUL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS BETWEEN THE TRANSPORT COMPANIES AND THE DISABLED

REPRESENTATIVES.

ALSO ATTENDING THE MEETING, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG SAID RECURRENT SPENDING ON REHABUS WOULD BE INCREASED FROM $9.4 MILLION IN 1993/94 TO $13.1 MILLION IN 1994/95, REPRESENTING A SIZABLE GROWTH OF ABOUT 40 PER CENT.

/SHE SAID