ENG-1965 — Page 234

COMMUNICATIONS

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were successfully integrated into the design of the general network serving Hung Hom and Wan Chai, and detailed programming of their construction to meet the tunnel completion date was started.

The Passenger Transport Survey Unit continued to collect data on the behaviour of traffic and transport in Hong Kong. Its activities intensified during the summer, when nearly 300 persons were engaged on a major interview-survey designed to establish the travel habits of the population of the urban areas by all types of transport. The survey was a complete success, due largely to the co-operation of the public and the enthusiasm of the staff carrying it out. The data collected amounted to several million individual pieces of informa- tion, which were processed by computer into suitable forms for use in all aspects of future planning. A large proportion of this data was handed to Mass Transit Consultants, a body of experts appointed by the government to define the long-term transportation needs of the Colony.

CAR PARKS AND METERED ZONES

A multi-storey car park in Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, the first in Kowloon and the largest so far built by the government, was opened in January. A metered car parking area in Statue Square on Hong Kong Island was closed for redevelopment as a garden in September. To compensate for the loss of parking spaces there, a temporary car park was brought into use at Blake Pier with space for 148 vehicles. This brought the total number of car parks under the management of the Urban Council to four multi-storey car parks and four temporary car parks, with a combined capacity of 3,279 cars. Fees for parking remained unchanged. For multi-storey car parks the charges are calculated on an hourly basis with a minimum of $1 up to $7.20 for 24 hours on weekdays. At temporary car parks the fee is $1 for half a day or $2 for the whole day. A monthly parking pass, which is valid at both types of park, costs $60.

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 ordinances