TNAG-1512-FCO40-2070-Kowloon-Canton-highway-and-Kowloon-Canton-Railway-Corporatio-1986 — Page 70

were the system

to

3

high fares on its system. This concern though understandable

is unfounded. The KCRC has stated publicly that it will adopt

a realistic fare policy and that fare levels will be kept

reasonable. As an indication of LRT fare levels in cash terms,

be operating today, the Corporation in

briefing the Tuen Mun and Yuen Long District Boards has stated

that short distance passengers may be charged more or less the

same fare as buses, that for medium distance trips passengers

may be paying at most 20 or 30 cents more than buses, and that

for long journeys a slightly higher premium. The Corporation

is not a publicly listed company which has to maximise profit

for its shareholders. It is wholly financed by the Government

and is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the

Governor. The Board comprises members from this Council, the

Regional Council, the Urban Council and District Boards who are

there to

to represent the public interest. There will in effect

three-tier system of monitoring LRT fares and service :

the Traffic and Transport Committees of the two District

Boards, the KCRC Board itself with its public representatives

and finally the Governor in Council who is empowered under

section 6 of the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation Ordinance

to give directions to the Corporation in the public interest.

be a

5

There has been criticism also that the proposed

measures for an integrated public transport system would amount

to granting a monopoly to the KCRC in the Transit Service

Area.

placed

Perhaps I should emphasize

that the LRT will

not

be

services,

in a monopoly situation : external KMB