ENG-1978 — Page 208

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Communications and Transport

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AMBITIOUS transport schemes are proceeding in Hong Kong which will fundamentally change the territory's traffic patterns and travelling habits within the next five years. By the end of 1978, about 80 per cent of the civil engineering work on the modified initial system of the Mass Transit Railway was complete and the first section of the underground railway was scheduled for opening in September, 1979. Plans were proceeding for the modernisation of the Kowloon-Canton Railway and major road works, which will substantially reduce travelling time on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, were forging ahead.

A contributing factor to Hong Kong's development as a leading centre of industry, trade and finance has been its exceptionally efficient communications network and its first-class facilities for the aviation and shipping industries. During 1978, a record five million passengers passed through Hong Kong International Airport and ocean- going vessels loaded and discharged more than 23.7 million tonnes of cargo.

Postal Services

With the reintroduction of an additional mobile post office to serve the remote parts of the New Territories, there are now 74 post offices operating in Hong Kong.

An important event during the year was the Fourth International Express Mail Service (Speedpost) Conference held in Hong Kong from March 13 to 17. Twenty- nine delegates from 18 postal administrations participated, with the object of im- proving the working arrangements and extending the range of Speedpost services. The meeting was the largest International Express Mail Service conference ever held and its size reflected the growing interest of postal administrations in the development and extension of this important service.

In addition to established Speedpost services to Australia, Belgium, Brazil, France, Japan, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States, the service was extended during the year to include Taiwan and Singapore. The increasing use of the Speedpost service by firms and businessmen was reflected in the continued growth in traffic, which amounted to 78,000 items handled during 1978 - an increase of 70 per cent over 1977.

In most areas of Hong Kong, there are two mail deliveries each weekday and the Post Office is generally successful in achieving its target of delivering local mail not later than one working day after the date of posting.

During the year, an estimated total of 323 million letters, registered articles and parcels were handled, representing an increase of 7.3 per cent over the previous year.