1990 — Page 11

CHAIRMAN'S

STATEMENT

主席報告

With the recent decision of the Executive

Council authorizing the Transport Department to invite tenders for franchised routes in the future, the problems of cross-subsidy become more focused. Without the need to cross-

subsidise loss-making routes, an acceptable return would be generated even if the fares on these potentially profitable routes were set at a lower level. It is therefore not difficult for a

potential new operator to approach Transport Department with a claim that they can provide a cheaper service on a particular route.

If future potentially profitable routes are not

granted to KMB the ability to maintain

unprofitable but "socially necessary" routes will

be eroded. The Company hopes that the

Government has taken all relevant matters into consideration before any proposed change is made.

OUTLOOK

The gradual population shift from the urban area to the new housing estates mainly located in the New Territories, is creating new

demands for bus services. As a result, some 18

new routes are planned to be introduced in 1991 and 1992.

The trial introduction of air-conditioned

services in the past two years has gained general acceptance by passengers. The Company is introducing air-conditioned

services gradually in line with demand to provide people with a higher quality service. It is expected that people using private cars will be attracted to take air-conditioned buses.

To further improve KMB's quality of service, modern bus shelters are being built to provide waiting passengers at bus stops with protection against rain and sunshine. Recently a consultant firm has been engaged to train our bus captains with the aim of improving the

鑒於最近行政局已決定授權運輸署在 日後招標經營專利巴士路線,互相補貼 問題更成為焦點。在毋須補貼虧損路線之 情況下,即使此等具有潛在獲利能力之 路線車費訂得稍低,亦能帶來令人滿意之 盈利。因此,有意經營者大可向運輸署 報稱可在特定路線提供較便宜之服務。

倘九巴不獲准經營日後有潛在獲利能力 之路線,九巴將無力再維持一些無利潤 但「社會需要」之路線。本公司希望

政府在作出任何修改前能考慮到有關之 一切事宜。

展望

O

市區人口逐漸遷移到主要位於新界之 新建屋邨,對巴士服務之需求有所增加, 因此本公司計劃在一九九一年及一九九二 年間增設十八條新路線。

過去兩年嘗試推出之冷氣巴士乘客 普遍接受。本公司現擬逐步引入冷氣巴士 服務以迎合需求,為市民提供更高質素之 服務。預期將會吸引駕駛私家車之人士

改乘冷氣巴士。

為進一步改善九巴之服務質素,本公司 現正在建造一些現代化之巴士站,使候車 乘客免受日曬雨淋之苦。為進一步改善 車長對乘客之服務態度,最近本公司更

聘請了一間顧問公司,為九巴訓練車長。 此等措施當可改善九巴之形象,同時吸引 更多乘客乘搭我們的巴士。

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