1991 — Page 13

At the same time, fare concessions to passengers were granted on some routes. Children (under 12 years of age) are now only

required to pay half-fare on all routes, including express and cross-harbour services;-- air-conditioned buses and the Airbus. Section

fares were introduced on all 25 express routes and 16 East Kowloon routes; as a result, a minimum of 22,000 passengers pay 10 cents to $2.8 less each trip.

The 31st March, 1991 fare increases were needed to offset previous inflation related costs such as higher salaries and wages,

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diesel fuel and duty, rent and rates etc. - and

to improve further our services.

DIESEL FUEL DUTY EXEMPTION

KMB welcomes Government's move to

exempt KMB from diesel fuel duty with effect from 4th March, 1992. This saving will be fully reflected in bus fares.

Taking into account the increase in diesel fuel duty of 19 cents per litre with effect from 4th March,1992, it is anticipated that the exemption will save KMB some $130 million

in 1992 or about $160 million in a full year.

As a result of the exemption and in the

absence of unforeseen circumstances, bus

fares need not be increased in 1992.

在另一方面,若干路線則推出多項車費優 惠。未滿十二歲之小童乘搭各線巴士,現均 獲半價優待,其中包括特快線及隧道巴士、 冷氣巴士以及機場巴士。此外,所有二十五 條特快線及十六條東九龍線均設分段收費, 此舉令最少二萬二千名乘客可因而每日節省 一角至二元八角不等。一九九一年三月三十 一日之車費增加,純為抵銷通脹所帶來成本 增加之影响( 例如員工薪酬、柴油及有關燃 料稅、租金及差餉等方面之成本均告上漲 ) 以及進一步改善服務質素所需。

豁免柴油税

對於政府由一九九二年三月四日起豁免本公 司繳付柴油稅,本公司甚為歡迎;而這方面 所得之節省亦將會反映在巴士車費上。

包括由一九九二年三月四日起,每公升之柴 油税增加一角九仙在內,預計此項豁免在一 九九二年度可為本公司節省大約一億三千萬 元;倘按整年計算,則可節省約一億六千萬

元。

由於獲得此項豁免,在並無不可預見之情況 下,一九九二年內巴士車費將無需提高。

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