1976-1977 — Page 13

41.

New lavatories at Fanling and Tai Po Market stations were opened to the public for use on 28th October, 1976 and 13th February, 1977 res- pectively.

42.

Four air-conditioned carriages were put into service on 7th February, 1977.

43.

Fares and Rates From 2nd July, 1976 to 31st August, 1976 (except Sundays and Public Holidays) special half-fare student tickets were issued for train journeys between Kowloon and Mong Kok to New Territories stations. Altogether 11,502 tickets were sold compared with 19,652 the previous year. Less tickets were sold because of inclement weather and the damage to Bridge No. 11.

44.

The supplementary fare for travelling in an air-conditioned first class carriage is 1.00 irrespective of the distance travelled.

45.

Freight traffic New goods sidings at Ho Man Tin were put into service on 17th May, 1976. They are capable of handling more than 40 live- stock wagons at a time. The goods yard at Mong Kok will be demolished for re-construction by October, 1977 and all livestock wagons will then have been transferred to Ho Man Tin Sidings. The new sidings will increase live-stock handling capacity and speed up unloading. This has the benefit of reducing the rate of mortality and the extent of offensive odour caused by the loaded wagons standing in the sun for lengthy periods. In order to provide more space to speed up freight unloading at the Goods Yard in Hung Hom, the areas between sidings were paved and some sidings removed. This project started in December 1976 and is expected to be completed in October 1977. After completion, it will increase the number of unloading places from 91 to 106.

46.

The construction of a iorry holding area at the entrance to the Goods Yard at Hung Hom Terminal started in January 1977. Its provision is to avoid traffic congestion caused by lorries parked along the Salisbury Road extension awaiting entry into the goods yard. It can accommodate up to 50 lorries and is expected to be completed in July 1977.

47.

During the collapse of Railway Bridge No. 11 at Tai Wai, mail and general cargo were dealt with at the sidings of Fanling Station, Fo Tan Yard, Ho Tung Lau Workshops and part of the main line on either side of Mile 7 level crossing. Livestock wagons were mainly dealt with at Wo Hop Shek.

Temporary measures were undertaken to unload diesel oil onto barges near Pak Shek Kok south of Tai Po Kau Railway Station after the close of daily passenger traffic. With the co-operation of the Chinese railway authorities and the local consignees, the effect on the inward goods from China during the period was minimized.

48.

The decrease in freight revenue is attributed to the decrease in goods from China. Comparative figure for goods revenue as follows :-

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