ENG-1959 — Page 288

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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

without interruption for over sixty years, a reliable funicular service. Until motor roads were opened in 1924, it was the only means of transport to the Peak. The cars are operated by a modern electric haulage plant and incorporate safety features which make it possible for a car to come to a halt within eight feet on the steepest part of the track. Passengers are carried to and from the Peak at the rate of approximately 1,000 an hour.

Bus Services. On Hong Kong Island bus services are maintained by the China Motor Bus Company, Ltd. which operates a fleet of 244 diesel-engined buses, three minibuses and two sightseeing coaches, all of United Kingdom manufacture. During 1959 the Company's vehicles covered some 10 million miles and carried over 87 million passengers, both figures exceeding those for any previous year. A further forty five buses were on order at the end of the year.

Throughout 1959 the Kowloon Motor Bus Co., (1933) Ltd. operated twenty eight bus routes in Kowloon and ten bus routes in the New Territories. Arrangements were made for three new routes in Kowloon, and a bus service on Lantau Island.

A number of small buses were converted to dual-purpose vehi- cles for the purpose of operating a goods/passenger service in the New Territories.

Seventy new Daimler double-deck buses were ordered in 1958 and delivery from the United Kingdom commenced in September 1959. The Company's fleet comprises 245 double-deck and 267 single-deck buses.

In 1959, 295 million passengers were carried as compared with 289 million in 1958, and, for the same period, the mileage covered was 24.3 million as against 23.5 million.

Ferries. The 'Star' Ferry Ltd. operates a passenger ferry service across the narrowest part of the Harbour, a distance of approxi- mately one mile, from a point in the centre of Victoria to Tsim Sha Tsui at the southern extremity of the Kowloon peninsula. Eight vessels are in service and operate daily for 19 hours. A three-minute service, taking seven minutes to cross, is maintained during the busy periods of the day, and a regular service until 1.30 a.m. Over 37 million passengers were carried in 152,367