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To ensure that such penalties are not passed onto bus passengers, section 26A of the ordinance stipulates that they should be excluded from the calculation of operating expenses for the purpose of fare determination.

"This is the first time that a financial penalty has been imposed on a franchised bus company. The Transport Department will continue to monitor closely the operation of public transport services to ensure a satisfactory level of service to the public," said Mrs Yam.

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Results of development strategy review announced

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, today (Tuesday) released for public consultation for about six months results of the Territorial Development Strategy (TDS) Review which provides a comprehensive planning framework for Hong Kong up to 2011.

A public consultation document on the "Territorial Development Strategy Review - A Response to Change and Challenges" was released by Mr Leung at a press conference which was also attended by the Director of Planning, Dr K S Pun, and the acting Director of Environmental Protection, Mr Mike Stokoe.

Mr Leung pointed out that in formulating strategic development options, two scenarios had been postulated to take account of the effect of development in China. Scenario A assumes the Pearl River Delta as Hong Kong's primary economic catchment while Scenario B includes both the Pearl Delta and other inner provinces of China as Hong Kong's economic catchment.

The TDS Review is built on a foundation of key assumptions. It is anticipated that, up to 2001, there should be sufficient capacity within current plans and programmes for a total population of about 6.5 million people.

For a medium-term time horizon up to 2006, additional strategic development areas could be required for planning assumption of about 7.3 million people.

Thereafter, up to 2011, it has been assumed for strategic planning purposes that the total population of Hong Kong could range between 7.5 million for Scenario A and 8.1 million for Scenario B.