ENG-1964 — Page 217

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COMMUNICATIONS

are a dollar for the morning or afternoon and $2 for the whole day. In addition, a monthly parking pass, valid at both types of car park, can be obtained at a cost of $60.

As a further measure to relieve congestion and regulate parking in the urban areas 3,300 parking meters are in use. Another 1,200 are due to be installed early next year. Metered charges range from 50 cents for half an hour, for short-term parking, to 50 cents for two hours at long-term meters.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Public transport in Hong Kong, with the single exception of the railway, is operated by private enterprise, but the Government retains powers designed to ensure efficient operation. There are five major public transport companies which operate under ordin- ances granting monopoly rights but requiring the provision of adequate services.

On Hong Kong Island two public transport companies have exclusive franchises to operate bus and tram services. In Kowloon and the New Territories another company has the exclusive bus franchise. Taxis are licensed for both urban areas and the New Territories. This year Government decided to open the way for new companies to enter the taxi business. Additional licences, which hitherto had been allocated on a quota system to existing companies, were put out to public tender. Hire cars and sight- seeing coaches are also licensed and there is no restriction on the licensing of goods vehicles. Two large ferry companies have mo- nopolies to operate services on specified routes across the harbour. Other minor cross harbour services operate under licence.

During the year 1,009 million people travelled on urban transport services, including the bus services on both sides of the harbour, trams on the island and cross harbour ferries. This was an increase of five per cent over 1963. In the New Territories 83 million pas- sengers were carried on buses, trains and ferries, an increase of 16.3 per cent.

The Advisory Committee on Public Transport, formed in 1961, has built up considerable experience and a body of research material from which it is able to make informed assessments of transport problems and to offer constructive advice to Government on the