1975-1976 — Page 13

1

44.

On 1st March, 1976, all barriers at the major railway/road level crossings in the New Territories were converted from manual to power operation. The occasion was preceded by an extensive publicity campaign to inform people of the new methods of operation.

45.

Fares and Rates Goods tariff charges were increased by approxi- mately 33% on 1st April, 1975 and loading and unloading charges by 42% on 30th November, 1975.

46.

From 2nd July, 1975 to 29th August, 1975 (except Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays) special half-fare student tickets were issued for train journeys between the old Kowloon Terminal and Mong Kok to New Territories stations. Altogether 19,652 tickets were sold compared with 13,006 the previous year.

47.

Freight Traffic The increase in freight revenue is largely attributed to the increase in diesel oil offsetting the decrease in other items of general cargoes. As there are no handling charges for diesel oil, it resulted in a decrease in handling charges of 32% in comparison with previous year in spite of the increase in traffic revenue. tive figures are as follows :-

Carriage of general

merchandise

tons

Other freight services

Handling charges,

Increase/

1974/75

1975/76 Decrease

$8,343,681 $14,563,608 +$6,219,927

(1,167,292) (1,538,958) (+ 371,666)

Compara-

Percentage Increase Decrease

+ 74.55 (+ 31.84)

baggage, parcels, etc.

Total freight revenue

48.

$ 5,206,431 $ 3,528,796 -$1,677,635

$13,550,112 $18,092,404 +$4,542,292

32.22

+ 33.52

The following principal commodities imported by rail into Hong Kong during the year, amounting to 61% of the total tonnage, were :-

Apples

Steel bars

Beer

25,188 tons 29,087 23,008

"

Cardboard

15,118

Cement

20,618

#

Cotton piece goods

41,251

Raw cotton

29,799

Eggs

41,843

Frozen meat

•

26,409

Diesel oil

225,033

Onions

16,004

#

Oranges

15,173

#1

Faper

19,576

Pears

43,427

11

Fresh vegetables

15,305

#1

8